Box Score The No. 10 Varsity Blues women’s basketball team defeated the Western Mustangs 71-67 on Friday night (Nov. 25) at the Athletic Centre Sports Gym.

With the win, the Blues improve to 4-1 and remain tied for the top spot in the OUA East, while the Mustangs drop to 1-4 and sit in seventh place in the West.

Second-year guard Jill Stratton of Etobicoke, Ont., led all players with 20 points and earned Varsity Blues player of the game honours for her efforts. Veteran guard Sherri Pierce (Brampton, Ont.) also had a stellar night with 17 points and five steals. 

Sophomore forward Julie Longauer had nine points, while Orangville, Ont., native Alicia Van Kampen tallied eight points and a game-high nine boards in the win.

The first quarter went back and forth with both teams going on long runs only to bring the game within reach.  An eight-point effort by Stratton would give the Blues a slight 19-18 lead after the first 10 minutes.

Both teams exchanged baskets in what proved to be a low-scoring second quarter as the home team held a 28-25 advantage at halftime.

Toronto extended their lead in the third, thanks in large part to Pierce and Longauer, to build a 10-point cushion heading into the final frame.

The Mustangs rallied to bring the game within five with just over a minute remaining but a diving layup by Stratton with 38 seconds remaining would seal the win for good.

Katelyn Leddy led the Mustangs with 13 points, while Rebecca Moss had 12 and Laura Dally recorded 11 in the loss.

The Varsity Blues return to the court tomorrow night as they host the No. 3 and CIS defending champion Windsor Lancers at the Athletic Centre Sports Gym. Tip off is scheduled for 6 p.m.