Box Score The Varsity Blues women’s basketball team handily defeated the Lakehead Thunderwolves 74-53 in their 2010-11 home opener on Friday, November 5 at the Athletic Centre Sports Gym.

With the win, the Blues improve to 2-0 and sit in first place in the OUA East division.

Fifth-year veteran Nicki Schutz of Toronto led the Blues, recording her second consecutive double-double of 12 points and 14 boards. Varsity Blues player of the game Jill Stratton (Etobicoke, Ont.) followed that up with 11 points, five rebounds and five assists, while fellow rookie and Whitby, Ont., native Julia Longauer had 10 points.

Veteran guards Erin McNeely of Kingston, Ont., and Brampton, Ont., native Sherri Pierce had eight points in the win.

The Blues had an edge on the glass all night, out-rebounding the Wolves 50-29 over four quarters of action.

Fifth-year guard Tasia McKenna of Timberlea, N.S., and sophomore guard Ayse Kalkan (Winnipeg) each recorded 11 points to lead the Thunderwolves, while third-year forward Lacey McNutty had eight in the loss.

Both teams got off to a very slow start, with the Blues gaining a 12-4 advantage after a first quarter that included 19 turnovers.

Lakehead perked up as McKenna drained back-to-back threes to start the second quarter. Fourth-year forward Linsday Druery of Smithville, Ont., brought the game within two midway through the frame, but that would be as close as the Wolves would get as the Blues extended their lead for good.

Toronto led 30-22 at halftime.

Schutz and Stratton went on to tally seven points apiece as U of T exploded for 28-third quarter points. A 16-13 advantage in the fourth would seal the 21-point victory for the home squad.

The Varsity Blues return to action tomorrow night when they host the McMaster Marauders at the Athletic Centre Sports Gym. Tip off is scheduled for 6 p.m. The game will also be streamed live through www.varsityblues.ca.

TICKETS are $10 for adults, $5 for youth and non-U of T students, U of T students and children 12 and under are free. Advance sales are available through http://www.ticketbreak.com or by calling 1.866.9.GET TIX (943-8849).

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