The University of Toronto Varsity Blues women's basketball team earned a hard fought 82-80 win over the visiting York Lions on Saturday (Nov 25) afternoon at the Goldring Centre Kimel Family Field House.

The victory marked the first of the 2023-24 OUA campaign for U of T, beginning a three-game home stand in exciting fashion for the home fans. Another back-and-forth affair between the two teams, the Blues were able to secure the win with a strong defensive stand in the fourth quarter holding the Lions to just 26 percent shooting on four made field goals in the final frame. 

Leading the Blues offence in the game was once again fifth-year guard Ellen Ougrinov who recorded a team-high 24 points in the win. Ougrinov also added five rebounds, two assists, and one steal to round out her stat line. Fellow guard Raya Hafez secured a double-digit scoring performance finishing with 11 points in 21 minutes of action.

Meanwhile in the Blues frontcourt, forward duo Sabrina Nero and Thuraya Abdul Hamid were up to the task in defending a very physical Lions attack, while also contributing at the offensive end as well. Nero made two blocks, including a timely fourth quarter swat, while adding 10 points, seven rebounds, one assist, and one steal. Abdul Hamid added another 12 points for the Blues, registering the fourth double-digit scoring effort of the night for Toronto.

Providing a presence both inside and outside the paint for the Lions, Kiara Leveridge scored a game-high 30 points for the visitors, including converting 13-of-19 free throws.

U of T remain at home next facing the Lakehead Thunderwolves at the Goldring Centre in back-to-back game beginning on Friday, Dec. 1. The pair of home games will mark the conclusion of the fall semester competition schedule for the Blues. Tickets for the home games are available at varsityblues.ca/tickets, while action is also streamed online at oua.tv.