The Toronto Varsity Blues women’s basketball team walked away with another home victory at the Athletic Centre Sports Gym. Toronto defeated the Laurentian Voyageurs 69-60 on Friday, January 23.

Fourth-year guard Alaine Hutton (Hamilton, Ont.) poured in a game high 28 points, while teammate Nicki Schutz (Toronto) was just as impressive knocking down 24 of her own. The two combined for 75% of the team’s total offence and led the Blues to their seventh win in eight games as they remain perfect at home in 2009.

Despite their slow start, 4-for-10 from the floor, the Blues managed to stay close with some excellent free-throw shooting. Toronto was 10-for-13 in the first quarter and shot 83% for the game.

The Lady Vees took advantage of the Blues poor shooting and jumped out to an early 12-4 lead, however, Schutz’ 10 first-quarter points helped put the home team ahead 19-16 after one quarter.

The Blue and White dominated the first five minutes of the second with an impressive nine-point run. The Voyageurs would not go away, pressing hard in the dying minutes. Lisa Furchner and Mylaine Mageau stepped up and hit some key shots to cut the Blues lead to two, 34-32, at the break.

In the second half, Hutton continued to attack the boards and nailed two key three-pointers during the third quarter to help keep the Blues on top, however-so-slightly. Toronto still had the edge and led Laurentian 50-46 heading into the final frame.

Toronto’s dynamic duo of Schutz and Hutton continued their dominance offensively in the final 10 minutes of play and hit key free throws, grabbed crucial rebounds and made a sensational steal to seal the victory.

Player of the game, Hutton, finished with 28 points, three assists and three steals, while Schutz had another double-double with 24 points and 14 rebounds.

Sudbury natives Furchner and Magee netted 21 and 18 points, respectively for the Voyageurs, while Katie Goggins (Hammer, Ont.) had a team-high nine boards.

Toronto held Laurentian’s leading scorer and rebounder, Darrah Bumstead (New Hamburg, Ont.), to just six points on 1-for-3 shooting and five rebounds.

The Blues women’s basketball team tips off again tomorrow night when they host their cross-town rivals the York Lions. Game time is set for 6 p.m. at the Athletic Centre Sports Gym.