The University of Toronto Varsity Blues men's basketball team fell 86-68 to the visiting Guelph Gryphons on Saturday (Nov. 15) night inside the Goldring Centre – Kimel Family Field House.

Toronto opened the contest on-fire, quickly jumping out to a 27-12 lead at the end of the first quarter. However, the intensity ratcheted up as the Gryphons utilized an extremely physical attack. This resulted in the visitors controlling play in the paint, outrebounding U of T 40-24 through the final three quarters and scoring 42 total points in the paint. Despite the onslaught from the Gryphons, Toronto never slowed down, battling to the final whistle.

First-year guard Mikey Ballout led all Blues on the night with 17 points. The standout freshman continued to add to his OUA leading three-point field goals made, adding another three to lift his season total to 28 through seven games played. Delivering work horse performances, third-year forward Simeon Jeffers added 15 points and six rebounds in 40 minutes while fourth-year centre Nigel Hylton registered 15 points in 32 total minutes of action. Double-digit performances were rounded out by second-year guard Rohan Scott-Smith who notched 12 points.

After the Gryphons came to life following the slow first quarter, all 10 Guelph players who stepped on the court recorded a field goal in the win. Leading the charge for the Gryphons was Mazen Yagubi with a game-high 18 on an efficient 8-for-11 shooting night.

The Varsity Blues will now hit the road for a Friday, Nov. 21 showdown with the Algoma Thunderbirds in Sault Ste. Marie. Tip-off for the road contest is scheduled for 8 p.m., with the game available to stream live and on-demand via oua.tv.