The University of Toronto Varsity Blues men's basketball team opened the second half of their season by hosting the York Lions on Friday (Jan 9) evening inside Goldring Centre - Kimel Family Field House, starting the year strong with an 89-80 victory.
 
Though it was an even match in the first quarter, the Blues increased the pace and turned the back-and-firth start into a dominating home court victory. Toronto outscored York through each of the first three quarters, including doubling them up 24-12 in the second. U of T was able to accomplish the effort through their suffocating defence that conceded just 5-of-17 field goal attempts for the Lions and forced four costly turnovers. The Blues also crashed the offensive boards and were rewarded with 28 second-chance points. Despite a late push in the fourth by York, U of T cruised to the nine-point victory.
 
Fourth-year centre Nigel Hylton set a new season-high in the win finishing the night with a team-high 22 points, shooting 60 per cent from the field, while also adding seven rebounds. Third-year forward Simeon Jeffers also notched 22 points four rebounds, while second-year point guard Rohan Scott-Smith contributed 16 points and five assists, and Panashe Dumbu rounded out the double-digit scoring for the Blues with 11 points.
 
The Lions were led by LaDainian James with and Jeremiah Kwarteng who each tallied a game-high 24 points in the loss.
 
Up next, the Blues travel to Ottawa for a two-game road trip, opening with a match-up against the Carleton Ravens on Friday (Jan 16), with tip-off set for 8 p.m. All OUA basketball games are available to stream via oua.tv.