Box Score The University of Toronto Varsity Blues women's basketball team fell 79-57 to the No. 3 McMaster Marauders on Saturday afternoon (Jan. 28) in Think Pink action at Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport.
The game was surrounded by a series of events dedicated to the Varsity Blues Think Pink, #BleedBlue campaign. Prior to the game Varsity Blues head coach Michele Belanger honoured U of T alumna and McMaster head coach Theresa Burns, who is a two-time breast cancer survivor.
As well, during the first quarter break Varsity Blues guard Maddy Baker honoured her grandmother, Anne, who has been cancer free for 13 years.
The Varsity Blues also welcomed the Junior Blues gymnastics team to the court to perform following their fundraising efforts, which saw the team raise over $1000 in support of the Think Pink campaign.
Finally, at halftime Varsity Blues women's hockey goaltender Valencia Yordanov and women's basketbal player Mahal De La Durantaye cut their hair to donate.
In game action, the Varsity Blues found their offence stifled by the nationally ranked Marauders. Shooting just 28 per cent from the floor, the Blues found runs throughout the contest but could not keep up with the No. 3 team in the country.
Leading the Blues offence was team scoring leader Rahshida Atkinson, who finished the night with 13 points including a 6-0 run in the second quarter.
Guards Keyira Parkes and Baker also delivered strong shooting performances with each scoring 11. Baker took flight for the Blues in an incredible fourth quarter performance in front of her grandmother, scoring all 11 of her points in the period, including three baskets from behind the arc.
U of T will look to rebound next week (Feb. 3) when they host the York Lions at the Goldring Centre for the Varsity Blues annual school day game. Tip off is scheduled for 11 a.m. with all the action being streamed live on OUA.tv.
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