Box Score The Varsity Blues women’s basketball team overcame a nine-point half time deficit to defeat the Guelph Gryphons 55-50 on Friday night (Nov. 9) at the Athletic Centre Sports Gym.
 
The win, Toronto’s sixth straight over Guelph, opens the Blues 2012-13 campaign at 1-0.
 
Third-year guard Rachael Sider of New Westminster, B.C., led all players with 16 points, while adding six boards on the night. Veteran forward Alicia Van Kampen (Orangeville, Ont.) recorded a double-double of 12 points and a game-high 13 rebounds, while Liane Bailey (Montreal) added nine points and Amanda Lauzon had 12 boards in the win.
 
The game began as a back-and-forth affair, with neither team building more than a four-point advantage. The Gryphons held a slight 16-15 lead after the first quarter.
 
The Gryphons went on a 13-3 run in the second frame, thanks in large part to rookie guard Erica McFadden (Alma, Ont.), who put up nine of her team-high 13 points. The Blues brought the game within nine (31-22) at halftime.
 
With the help of an eight-point quarter from Van Kampen, the Blues brought the game within two late in the third.  A three-pointer from Alex Beatty gave the Gryphons a slight 40-35 lead heading into the final frame.
 
Sider drained a three to open the fourth quarter and the Blues took over the lead on a Jasmine Lewin (Brampton, Ont.) jumper. The Gryphons came back to tie the game again at 50-50 with 2:29 remaining; however, back-to-back jumpers from Lewin would seal the win.
 
Beatty added 10 points and Jasmine Douglas led the Gyrphons with eight boards in the loss.
 
The Varsity Blues return to the court tomorrow night as they host the Lakehead Thunderwolves at the Athletic Centre Sports Gym. Advance tickets are on sale here. The game will be streamed live via varsityblues.ca starting at 6 p.m.

 
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