Patrick Sewell’s game-high 20 points weren’t enough as the No. 8 Varsity Blues men’s basketball team suffered a one-point defeat (68-67) at the hands of the Lakehead Thunderwolves at C. J. Sanders Fieldhouse in Thunder Bay, Ont. on Saturday, Nov. 14. 

The Blues are now 2-2 on the season after a stellar pre-season record (9-1). Lakehead is the only team to have beaten the Blues during the 2009 season. The Waterloo Warrior have defeated the Blues twice – one in pre-season action (61-56) and again last week, 58-55, at U of T’s Athletic Centre Sports Gym. 

Lakehead now sits at 4-0 in conference play with a 10-1 overall record. They hold an outright lead in the OUA West division, two points up on McMaster, Waterloo and Windsor. 

Toronto was strong through three quarters of play, leading this contest 31-28 at the half and 52-45 at the start of the fourth. 

The Wolves defence was the difference in the final frame, clamping down on in the final stretches to remain undefeated in the OUA regular season. 

A fifth-year forward, Sewell (London, Ont.) also hauled in eight rebounds and dished four assists. Burlington, Ont. native Nick Magalas added 14 points and six assists while veteran guard Rob Paris tallied 14 points of his own. 

Sophomore post Yoosrie Salhia led the Pack with 17 points and nine rebounds with freshman forward Ryan Thomson contributing 12 points and seven boards to lead the bench unit. 

Toronto is on the road again next weekend, playing at Brock University on Friday, Nov. 20 and then travelling to Guelph, Ont. to play the Gryphons on Saturday, Nov. 21. Game times on both nights are 8 p.m.