Box Score The University of Toronto Varsity Blues women's basketball team overcame a 10-point third quarter deficit to defeat the Western Mustangs 91-87 on Sunday afternoon (Nov. 22) in London, Ont.

With the win, the Blues improve to 2-3 and sit in third place in the OUA East division, while Western drops to 3-2 and are tied for second in the West.

Third-year guard Rahshida Atkinson led the Blues with a career-high 34 points, going 11-for-18 from the floor, including three three-pointers, and a perfect 9-for-9 from the free throw line. Atkinson added a team-high nine rebounds and three steals on the day.

Rookie guard Keyira Parkes had another solid game, recording 18 points, while team co-captains Alanna Garner and Abena Addo added nine and 12 points, respectively. Addo added eight boards and two steals in the win.

Toronto got out to a great start, leading 9-2 in the early goings. An Atkinson lay up gave U of T what would be their biggest lead of the game (18-8), but the Mustangs battled back with a 14-6 run and U of T held a narrow 24-22 advantage after the first quarter.

The two teams went back and forth in the second quarter with Atkinson draining seven points in the frame. Parkes nailed a three in the dying minutes, but Western took a 43-40 lead into halftime.

The third quarter belonged to the Mustangs, as they outscored Toronto 24-17 to build a 10-point lead (67-57) heading into the fourth.  That didn't stop the Blues though, who rallied back led by a 20-point effort from Atkinson. With a long three from Parkes U of T evened the game at 82-82 with 1:48 remaining in the game.

A couple of free throws from Atkinson and, on the next possession, a hard drive to the basket for the and one, sealed the victory for the Blues.

Western's Mackenzie Puklicz led all players with 36 points and eight rebounds, while Victoria Heine notched a double-double of 12 points and 10 boards in the loss.

The Varsity Blues close out the fall semester next Saturday, November 28 when they host the Ryerson Rams in the Bell NBA All-Star Challenge, presented by Air Miles, at Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport.

For the first time in the history of the NBA, the All-Star game is being played outside of the United States. The NBA, with partners, Bell, BMO, Air Miles and Samsung are going across the country to celebrate this monumental year for Canadian Basketball.

Leading the way is the Bell NBA All-Star Challenge, presented by Air Miles, which is making a stop at U of T next Saturday.

The pre-qualifying tournament runs 12-3pm followed by the game vs Ryerson at 6pm.

It's a full day of excitement and entertainment that includes the Raptors Dance Pak, the Raptor himself as well as NBA legend and former Toronto Raptor Mo Pete, Morris Peterson. 

For more information, scores and highlights on your favourite U of T athletes and teams, please visit www.varsityblues.ca. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook for the latest and greatest in Varsity Blues intercollegiate athletics.