The University of Toronto Varsity Blues women's basketball team dropped a tightly contested 62-60 decision versus the McMaster Marauders in their preseason opener on Friday (Sept. 26) night in Hamilton.

Competing with a short bench for the road contest, U of T were able to start strong building a 19-7 first quarter lead. However, McMaster would find their form and slow down the Blues offensive output allowing the home side to take lead just before the half. The Marauders would stave off the Blues comeback effort which saw just a two-point margin at the final whistle. Despite the loss, Toronto showed impressive perimeter defence holding McMaster to just 4-for-32 shooting from behind the three-point line. As well, U of T were able to grab more rebounds (52-44) and secure more points in the paint (30-22).

Toronto's impressive low-post offence was led by second-year forward Zi Yang Wang and fourth-year forward Alex Jaglall, with each registering a double-double in the Friday night showdown. Wang finished with a game-high 17 points and 13 rebounds, including five from the offensive glass. Meanwhile, Jaglall added 15 points and 10 rebounds. Second-year guard Lia Barbieri topped all Blues in minutes with 40, tallying 12 points, four assists, and two rebounds. Off the bench, second-year guard Diana Comsa chipped in with eight points, nine rebounds and three assist, while also recording a team-high four steals defensively.

Both Sophia Urosevic and Grace Ammendolia scored a team-high 11 points in the win for the Marauders, while Jocelyn Newby added 10 points and six steals.

The Blues continue their preseason schedule with a home contest versus the Memorial Sea-Hawks next Friday (Oct. 3) night. Tip-off from inside the Goldring Centre – Kimel Family Field House is set for 6 p.m. Tickets are available at varsityblues.ca/tickets, while U of T students can enter for free with a valid T-card.