Head coach Michèle Bélanger picked up her 700th career win as the University of Toronto Varsity Blues women’s basketball team defeated the Ottawa Gee-Gees 61-54 on Friday, January 15 at the Athletic Centre Sports Gym.

Since becoming head coach 31 years ago, Bélanger’s resume with the Varsity Blues includes; a 700-332 overall record, nine OUA championships, 16 CIS championship appearances (43 games: 20 wins, 23 losses), one CIS championship (1985-86), two CIS silver medals (1995-96, 1993-94), and two CIS bronze medals (1988-89, 1984-85).

With the win, the Blues improve to 6-7 and remain tied for fifth place with the Laurentian Voyageurs in the OUA East division. The Gee-Gees sit in fourth place with a 7-5 record.

Third-year Ottawa centre Hannah Sunley-Paisley (Toronto), who leads the OUA in points per game, rallied her squad from an early six-point deficit to record 12 of the Gee-Gees 13 first-quarter points. However, the Blues managed to maintain a 14-13 lead heading into the second frame.

Led by a solid defensive effort from CIS rebounding leader Nicki Schutz (Toronto), U of T held the Gee-Gees to only seven points in the second quarter. Second-year forward Tania Meunier’s (St. Albert, Alta.) five points helped Toronto gain a 29-20 advantage at halftime.

Sunley-Paisley and Schutz continued to exchange baskets throughout the third quarter, however, an eight-point performance from fourth-year guard Melina Wishart (Ottawa) brought the Gee-Gees back to within two (43-41) going into the fourth quarter.

Schutz and third-year guard Joanna Medri (Toronto) led the Blues with a combined 13 points in the final frame to extend their lead for good as Toronto came away with the 61-54 victory.

Schutz recorded yet another double-double with 20 points and 14 boards on the night, while Erin McNeely (Kingston, Ont.) had 10 points and seven rebounds. Medri chipped in with seven points and three steals in the win.

The Gee-Gees were led by Sunley-Paisley’s game-high 21 points and 17 boards. Wishart tallied 14 points in the loss.

The Varsity Blues return to action tomorrow night as they host the Carleton Ravens at the Athletic Centre Sports Gym. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m.

NOTES:

The Varsity Blues honoured 2007-08 graduate Alaine Hutton at the conclusion of tonight’s game. Hutton is a three-time OUA all-star, the 2008-09 OUA East most valuable player and a 2008-09 all-Canadian. Over her career at U of T, she scored 1388 points, collected 311 rebounds, dished out 288 assists and accumulated a remarkable 225 steals.

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