The University of Toronto Varsity Blues men's basketball team opened their winter semester with a physical match-up against the No. 6 nationally ranked Carleton Ravens on Friday (Jan. 10) evening at Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport, coming up short with a final score of 86-59.
 
The Ravens came out blazing in the first, outscoring the Blues 30-16 as they shot 66.7 percent from both three-point range and from the field. The Blues pushed back in the second and third quarter, closing the gap, with the Blues comeback effort fueled by defensive intensity in the paint, totaling 11 blocks and 10 steals. However, in the fourth, the nationally ranked team was able to secure the road victory.
 
The Blues had two players in double figures; fourth-year centre Lennart Weber notched a double-double with 12 points, 11 boards, four assists, five blocks, and one steal. Fourth-year point guard Inaki Alvarez put up a game-high 19 points, alongside four rebounds and three steals. First-year forward Panashe Dumbu also brought defensive energy off the bench for the Blues, with five blocks accompanying his six points and five rebounds, shooting 75 percent from the field.
 
The Ravens were led by Aubrey Dorey-Havens, who notched team-high 15 points, eight assists, and five rebounds. Also notable were Daniel Smith and Xavier Spencer  with 12 points and 11 rebounds, and 11 points and four rebounds, respectively.

Up next, the Blues take on the York Lions at home on Saturday, Jan. 11 at Goldring Centre. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m., and tickets are available at varsityblues.ca/tickets, and the game can be streamed via oua.tv.