The University of Toronto Varsity Blues men's basketball team beat the No. 7 Ontario Tech Ridgebacks 59-54 in the OUA Quarterfinal game on Saturday (Feb. 24) night at the Goldring Centre for High Performance. 
 

With the win, Toronto secures their first OUA Semifinal berth since the 1996-97 season. The semifinal will see the Blues head to Kingston, Ont. to take on the No. 1 Queen's Gaels this Wednesday, Feb. 28 for their chance to compete in the Wilson Cup. 
 

In what began as a dominate performance for the Blues, the first half saw Toronto take a 38-29 lead. Defensively sound and dominating the boards, the Blues led the Ridgebacks in both rebounds (25-19) and blocks (4-2) through the first 20 minutes of play.  
 

However, at the half the Ridgebacks would flip the script. Coming out quickly, the Ridgebacks scored in 5-of-6 possessions to take a 41-39 lead midway through the third quarter. Down by three, with two minutes remaining in the quarter, Varsity Blues second-year head coach Madhav Trivedi subbed on known scoring threats Nadav Sahar and Ryan Rudnick. In two minutes of play, the pair combined for five unanswered points to secure the Blues a 47-45 lead heading into the fourth. 

Tied 54-54 with two minutes remaining, the Blues slowed the pace of the game by controlling possession and limiting shots taken. Blues fifth-year transfer Dane Quest would strike first pulling the Blues ahead by two with a lay-up. While second-year Noah Ngamba's jumper propelled Toronto's lead to 58-54 with just 10 seconds remaining. On the attack, Ridgebacks Caleb Kassa's turnover sent the ball back to the Blues. Rudnick would seal the Blues their 59-54 win on the second of two free throw attempts. 

Leading Toronto was the OUA's regular season points per game leader, Callum Baker. The Oakville, Ont. native record 15 points and four rebounds. Rounding out the Blues double-digit scorers was Noah Ngamba who tallied 11, while adding three assists, two steals and two blocks. 

Toronto's fourth-year forward Anthony Daudu was pivotal to the Blues dominance on the boards as he registered a game-high 10 rebounds. Defensively, the Blues were led by veteran forward Somachi Agbapu who had nine rebounds and three blocks in the win. 
 

The Ridgebacks were led by fourth-year guard, Zubair Seyed. The Camebridge, Ont. native led all players with 17 points and five assists.