Box Score Despite a career-high 37-point performance from fifth-year forward Devin Johnson, the University of Toronto Varsity Blues men's basketball team dropped a 91-80 decision to the Laurier Golden Hawks on Saturday afternoon (Jan. 21) in Waterloo, Ontario.

With the loss, the Blues fall to 8-5 but remain in second place in the OUA East, four points ahead of the Queen's Gaels.

Toronto opened the afternoon affair ice cold, going 0-for-12 from the field to begin the game to allow the Golden Hawks to jump out to an early 18-12 first quarter lead.

However, U of T slowed the game down in the second and third quarters, attacking the Laurier defence in order to force the home squad into foul trouble. With the clock under control and the Blues nailing their free throw attempts, Toronto climbed back into the game and evened the score 62-62 early in the fourth quarter.

While the Blues offence was able to bring them back, the defence was unable to consistently make stops as the Golden Hawks shot 50 percent from the field on the night. This inconsistency allowed Laurier to pull away down the stretch as strong play from first-year guard Tevaun Kokko and fourth-year forward Vlad Matovic carried them to the victory.

Johnson made one last exciting surge with four straight three-pointers to bring Toronto within five with 26 seconds remaining, but the Golden Hawks succeeded from the free throw line in the final seconds. Johnson scored 29 of his 37 in the second-half and went 8-for-11 from behind the arc, once again proving his ability to be one of the strongest offensive threats in the OUA. Johnson also added six rebounds, two assists, and two steals.

Behind Johnson, the Blues received strong efforts from guards Reilly Reid and Sage Usher. Reid finished the night with 14 points and five rebounds, while Usher went three-for-six from the three point line en route to nine points, six rebounds, and five assists.

Kokko led the Golden Hawks matching a career-high 29 points while picking up a double-double with 10 rebounds. Matovic collected 19 points and six rebounds while also shining on the defensive end with four blocks.

The Varsity Blues now return to Goldring Centre to begin a three-game home stand against the McMaster Marauders next Saturday, January 28. Tip off is scheduled for 2 p.m., following the women's annual Think Pink, #BleedBlue game at 12 p.m. All the action will also be streamed live on OUA.tv.

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