Box Score Fifth-year guard Sherri Pierce led all players with 21 points as the Varsity Blues women’s basketball team defeated the Queen's Gaels 85-61 on Friday night (Jan. 27) at the Athletic Centre Sports Gym.
The Brampton, Ont., native was 8-for-12 from the floor, while adding four boards and a game-high four steals en route to Toronto’s fourth straight win.
Four other Varsity Blues hit double digits on the night. Jill Stratton (Etobicoke, Ont.) and Blues player of the game Julie Longauer (Whitby, Ont.) each notched 15 points, with Amherstburg, Ont., native Kristy Chute and Joanna Medri (Toronto) adding 10 and 12 points, respectively.
“That was an outstanding performance from Sherri, she set the tone for the team,” said Varsity Blues head coach Michele Belanger. “We had a great team effort, contributions came from everyone. No one had a bad game. It was a coach’s delight.”
U of T remains tied for second with the Carleton Ravens with identical 11-5 records, behind the first-place Ottawa Gee-Gees (14-2).
After Toronto got out to an 8-2 lead, both teams exchanged baskets and Pierce led the way with 13 points to give the home team a slight 23-19 advantage after 10 minutes of play.
Pierce and Longauer started the second quarter on an 8-0 run but the Gaels battled back to even the score (31-31) midway through the frame. A couple of late jumpers from second-year forward Rachel Sider and Stratton would give Toronto a 42-34 lead at halftime.
The Blues carried their stellar play into the second half and held a comfortable seven-point lead for the majority of the third. U of T capped off the win with a dominant 27-16 fourth quarter to round out the 24-point win.
Brittany Moore led the Gaels with 19 points, while Christine Wallace added 10 in the loss.
The Varsity Blues return to the court tomorrow night as they host the RMC Paladins (0-15) at the Athletic Centre Sports Gym. Game time is set for 6 p.m.
GAME NOTES:
The Varsity Blues honoured long-time Ryerson Rams women’s basketball head coach Sandy Pothier, who lost her battle with cancer this past weekend, in a pre-game ceremony.
