Box Score The No. 7 Varsity Blues women’s basketball team dropped a 74-67 decision to the Brock Badgers on Friday, November 19 at the Athletic Centre Sports Gym.

With the loss, the Blues are 4-2 and are tied with the Carleton Ravens for first place in the OUA East, while the Badgers improve to 3-2 and are in a three-way tie for fourth in the OUA West division.

Brock came out strong led by seven points from Hilary Woodside (Fall River, N.S.) as the visiting Badgers built a 24-16 advantage after one quarter.

Toronto rallied in the second, led by some gritty work under Brock’s basket by second-year forward Alicia Van Kampen of Orangeville, Ont. Despite some impressive work from Brock’s Tara Giallonardo (Fonthill, Ont.), including a big three-pointer midway through the frame, the Blues were able to bring the game within two (37-35) at halftime.

Fifth-year forward Nicki Schutz of Toronto came out on fire in the third quarter, scoring 13 consecutive points to give the Blues a huge boost. Badgers guard and Toronto native Emily McKay kept the game within reach with eight points of her own; however, a late jumper by Kingston, Ont., native Erin McNeely would leave the score deadlocked at 54-54 heading into the final frame.

Sherri Pierce opened the fourth with a big three-pointer but the Badgers would rally as Giallonardo and Woodside combined for 16 of Brock’s 20 fourth-quarter points to put the game out of reach.

Schutz led all players with 21 points and eight boards, while Pierce had 11 on the night. Rookie Jill Stratton of Etobicoke, Ont. and sophomore guard Katelyn McConell (Whitby, Ont.) chipped in with eight points each in the loss.

Brock was led by Giallonardo and Woodside’s 17-point performance. McKay recorded 12 points in the win.

The Varsity Blues return to action tomorrow night as they host the Guelph Gryphons at the Athletic Centre Sports Gym. Game time is set for 6 p.m.

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