A fourth-quarter lapse sealed the fate of the University of Toronto Varsity Blues women’s basketball team as they fell 71-64 to the University of Windsor Lancers on Friday, November 27 at U of T’s Athletic Centre Sports Gym.

The No. 2 Lancers (7-0) got 15 fourth-quarter points from their scoring leaders Jessica Clemencon (7) and Bojana Kovacevic (8), helping the visitors outscore the home squad 20-7 in the final 10 minutes and erase a six-point third-quarter deficit.

Blues OUA all-star Nicki Schutz scored two of her game-high 18 points with 4:47 left to tie the game at 61, however, she then fouled out just over a minute later and the Blues were unable to muster any offensive opportunities until Emily Larson (Calgary, Alta.) knocked down a three-pointer with 46 seconds left to pull Varsity to within seven.

Toronto (4-3) held their own with the number two team in the country through the first three quarters of action. With a solid opening quarter, the Blues jumped out to a 25-18 lead midway through the second and led by as many 13 with just over four minutes remaining in the first half.

The West-leading Lancers charged back with a 17-5 run of their own to trail by only one heading into halftime.

Toronto responded right away and regained their composure off the opening whistle of the third quarter, picking up their defensive intensity and forcing nine Windsor turnovers.

Mississauga, Ont. native Megan Stoncius tallied five of her nine points in the frame, while sophomore guard Larson added four points and three assists to help push the Blues lead to six heading into the fourth.

Both teams had issues hanging onto the ball with a combined 58 turnovers in the game. Neither team shot the ball particular well either: Windsor was 41% from the floor on 23-of-56 shooting, while Toronto was 26-fo-64 (40%).

Schutz (Toronto) led all players in points and had a team-high eight rebounds. Rookie guard Katelyn McConnell from Whitby, Ont. knocked down 10 of her own in 17 minutes. Kingston, Ont. native Erin McNeely was named the Blues player of the game with nine points, three rebounds and four assists.

Windsor had four players in double figures. Kovacevic (Windsor, Ont.) and guard Laura Mullins (Tecumseh, Ont.) and each had 15 points, while Clemencon (St. Rambert, France) added 14 and Sherwood, Alta native Shavaun Reaney tallied 13. Kovacevic also had a game-high 13 rebounds.

The Varsity Blues are back in action tomorrow night as they host the Western Mustangs. Tip off is scheduled for 6 p.m.

For more information, scores and highlights on your favourite Toronto teams, please visit the home of the Varsity Blues at http://www.varsityblues.ca.