Box Score Fifth-year guard Justin Holmes knocked down five threes en route to a 21-point performance in leading the Varsity Blues men’s basketball team to a 67-56 win over the Queen’s Gaels on Saturday, January 7 in Kingston, Ont.
The win moves Toronto to .500 with a 5-5 record and leaves them in third place in the OUA East division.
A Toronto native, Holmes was 7-of-10 from the floor, including 5-of-8 from beyond the arc. Fellow veteran and Burnaby, B.C., native Andrew Wasik was also impressive with 17 points and seven boards, while Arun Kumar (Hamilton, Ont.) had 10 points and Alex Hill (Toronto) added nine points and three assists in the win.
"Wasik and Holmes carried us through the win," said Varsity Blues associate head coach Rick Dilena. "Our defensive play was good but we need to be more consistent throughout the entire game."
The Blues came out ready and raring to go with an 18-1 streak to take a commanding lead. Toronto held the Gaels to single digits as they headed into the second quarter with a 21-7 lead.
The second started similarly with U of T on a 7-0 run; however, the Gaels began to show some life but still trailed 33-17 at halftime.
Queen’s came out stronger in the third and outscored Toronto 12-5 in the first five minutes. U of T’s Matt Savel and Queen’s MacKenzie Simpson exchanged threes to end the quarter 49-39 in favour of the Blues.
Holmes opened the fourth with a three, his fifth of the night, to ignite an 8-0 run. The Gaels responded with a 9-2 series of their own, but the Blues would hold on for the 11-point win.
Michael Fairine led the Gaels with 17 points in the loss.
The Varsity Blues return home next Friday, January 13 as they host the Ottawa Gee-Gees during
South Asian Night at the Athletic Centre Sports Gym. Tip off is scheduled for 8 p.m.
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