Rob Paris scored a game-high 30 points as the No. 6 University of Toronto Varsity Blues men’s basketball team defeated the No. 10 Laurier Golden Hawks 92-89 in overtime on Friday, November 6 at the Athletic Centre Sports Gym.

Paris (St. Catharines, Ont.) held the magic touch from the get-go, going four-of-five from beyond the arc and tallying 16 points in the first quarter alone. While Toronto thrived from the perimeter, Laurier began to dominate the inside, driving hard to the basket and out-rebounding the Blues 15-7 in the first quarter.

Laurier held a slight 25-24 lead heading into the second frame.

Both teams slowed down in the second quarter as the Golden Hawks finally halted Paris’s shooting spree and went on to outscore the Blues by four to take a 44-39 lead at halftime.

Toronto played catch-up throughout the third quarter, as third-year forward Drazen Glisic (Sarajevo, BIH) tallied eight points but was evenly matched at the other end of the floor by Laurier’s Kale Harrison’s (Stratford, Ont.) nine.

U of T finally took the lead with just 1:34 remaining in the third as Paris drained his fifth three-pointer of the night, however, Harrison would even the score in the dying seconds to leave the game deadlocked at 62-62 going into the final frame.

Toronto was able to build a seven-point lead (79-72) with three minutes to go, thanks to a nine-point performance from fifth-year forward Nick Snow (London, Ont.). However, Laurier went on to capitalize on two U of T turnovers and three steals as they again evened the score at 79-79 to force overtime.

Snow continued his stellar play in the extra minutes with two jumpers and Paris sealed the deal, draining his sixth shot from beyond the arc to extend Toronto’s lead for good. Despite a valiant effort, Laurier was unable to penetrate the basket and U of T walked away with the 92-89 victory.

Glisic recorded a double-double with 17 points and 13, boards, while fifth-year guard Nick Magalas (Burlington, Ont.) was consistent all night with 16 points. Snow had 15 points, while Patrick Sewell (London, Ont.) recorded eight points and 10 boards in the win.

Harrison led Laurier with 23 points, while Maxwell Allin (Chatham, Ont.) had 19. Jesse MacDonald (Brantford, Ont.) recorded 16 points and Conor Meschino (Oakville, Ont.) had 13 in the loss.

The Varsity Blues return to the court tomorrow night (Nov. 7) as they host the Waterloo Warriors at the Athletic Centre Sports Gym. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 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.