The University of Toronto Varsity Blues women's basketball team dropped a narrow 52-50 decision to the Laurier Golden Hawks in their 2019-20 season opener on Wednesday night (Oct. 23) in Waterloo, Ont.

TORONTO STATS: Nada Radonjic led all players with 17 points, nine of which came in the fourth quarter. The Toronto native added seven rebounds on the night. Fellow fourth-year forward Sarah Bennett notched a double-double of 12 points and a game-high 16 boards, while also adding three assists on the night.

Second-year guard Ellen Ougrinov added seven points, eight boards, three steals and two assists in the loss.

HOW IT HAPPENED: Laurier built a 16-7 first-quarter lead, but the Blues bounced back and kept things even with a 9-9 second quarter to trail 24-16 at halftime.

The two teams went back and forth in the third quarter, with Laurier extending their lead to 44-31 heading into the final frame. Toronto turned up the head in the fourth, going on a 14-3 run to bring the game within two (47-45). A Christine Jurcau three with 53 seconds remaining brought the Blues within one (51-50), but the Hawks held on for the narrow win.

UP NEXT: The Blues are back in action next Friday, November 1 when they travel to take on the York Lions. Toronto's home opener is slated for next Saturday, November 2 versus the Brock Badgers at Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport. Tip off is set for 6 p.m., on both nights.

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 and Facebook for the latest and greatest in Varsity Blues intercollegiate athletics.