Box Score Four players hit double digits as the University of Toronto Varsity Blues women's basketball team defeated the Nipissing Lakers 66-43 on Saturday, November 19 at Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport.
 
With the win, the Blues improve to 2-3 in the early goings of the OUA women's basketball season.
 
Fourth-year forward Emily Piccini tallied a game-high 13 points, while also leading all players with seven rebounds on the night. The Dundas, Ont., native went 6-for-13 from the floor and added three assists and two steals.
 
Rookie forward Charlotte Craig also recorded 13 points and added six rebounds and three steals, with Keyira Parkes tallying 13 points, five rebounds and four assists.
 
Veteran Rahshida Atkinson notched 10 points and three boards, with Diedre Edwards adding eight points and a game-high four steals in the win.
 
Four points from Piccini got the Blues out to an early 9-2 lead, but the Lakers bounced back with an 8-0 run to take the lead. Both teams went back-and-forth but a couple of late points from Craig put Toronto up 17-10 after the first quarter. Back-to-back jumpers from Craig extended the Blues lead midway through the second and Toronto took a 29-15 advantage into halftime.
 

WBB: @TorontoBluesWBB leading @NULakers 17-10 after the first quarter. WATCH this Emily Piccini finish! #WeAreTO pic.twitter.com/gfDwhGpuzA

— Varsity Blues (@Varsity_Blues) November 19, 2016

 

WBB: @TorontoBluesWBB leading @NULakers 29-15 at halftime!
STATS: https://t.co/nN1XwOAyRZ
WATCH this Charlotte Craig jumper! pic.twitter.com/156MTXHnsA

— Varsity Blues (@Varsity_Blues) November 19, 2016

The two squads traded baskets in the third with Toronto maintaining a solid cushion (44-31) after 30 minutes of action. The Blues rounded out the victory with a big 22-12 fourth-quarter effort to notch their second consecutive win.
 

WBB: @TorontoBluesWBB leading @NULakers 44-31 after the third quarter.
WATCH this Emily Piccini three! pic.twitter.com/aWU5XRoDMT

— Varsity Blues (@Varsity_Blues) November 20, 2016

Heidi Smith topped the Lakers with 13 points and five rebounds in the loss.
 
The Varsity Blues are back in action next Saturday, November 26 as they travel to Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., to take on the Algoma Thunderbirds. Tip off is set for 6 p.m. The Blues return home the following Wednesday, November 30 when they host the Windsor Lancers at Golding Centre.

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