Box Score The University of Toronto Varsity Blues women's basketball team fell 63-57 to the Ottawa Gee-Gees in a tight battle on Friday night (Feb. 17) in the nation's capital. 

With the loss, the Varsity Blues drop to 7-11 on the season but remain in third place in the OUA East division.

U of T opened the night on fire, jumping out to an early 20-15 first-quarter lead thanks to the inside-out play of forward Charlotte Collyer and guard Keyira Parkes. Nailing two triples early, Parkes drew the Gee-Gees defence out to open up room inside for Collyer as the pair scored six apiece in the opening frame.

In a much more tightly contested second quarter, fellow second-year forward Sarah Bennett shined for the Blues, picking up inside the paint where Collyer left off as Toronto held a 34-28 halftime lead.

The Gee-Gees offence woke up coming back from the back, thanks to a strong third quarter from Sarah Besselnik, who ended the night with a game-high 23 points, including five three-pointers. Ottawa's offensive surge continued into the fourth where they were able to sink key free throws in the final minute to hold off the U of T response.

Parkes led all Blues on the night with 11 points, while Bennett and Collyer picked up 10 and nine on the inside, respectively.

The Blue and White remain in the nation's capital where they will end the regular season tomorrow night (Feb. 18) against the No. 4 Carleton Ravens. Tip off for the finale is scheduled for 6 p.m., with the game set to be streamed live on OUA.tv.

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