Box Score Fourth-year guard Rachael Sider notched 20 points in leading the Varsity Blues women's basketball team to a 69-43 victory over the Algoma Thunderbirds and their third straight win on Saturday night in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.

With the win, the Blues improve to 11-9 and sit in fourth in the OUA East standings.

Sider went 8-for-12 from the floor and 4=for-6 from behind the arc and added six rebounds in the win. Fifth-year forward Alicia Van Kampen had 13 points and six rebounds, while veteran guard Vanessa Brathwaite recorded seven points on the night. 

Toronto controlled possession early in the first quarter going on a 12-0 run. Rachel Sider held a hot hand in the early goings making back-to-back three pointers. The Blues went into the quarter break up 20-10. The Thunderbirds slowly closed the gap to seven (29-22) in the second quarter, however U of T headed in to halftime with a 12-point lead at 35-22.

In the third quarter the Blues continued to push out their lead, going ahead 46-24 midway through the frame. Despite Algoma going on a six-point run, Toronto kept the Thunderbirds from closing the gap and held a dominant 56-32 advantage at the end of the third.

The Blues added another 13 points in the fourth quarter to take the win 69-43.

The Thunderbirds were led by Laura Meadows, who put up nine points and four rebounds, while teammate Courtney White added eight points and six rebounds.

The Varsity Blues will be back in action next Friday, February 14 when they take on the Queen's Gaels at the Athletic Centre Sports Gym. Game time is set for 6 p.m.

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