By Nicholas van der Ham

The Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold women’s basketball team tipped the scales at the Mattamy Athletic Centre (MAC) on Friday, earning a 90-36 win over the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees.

The victory gave TMU a leg up in a historically even matchup against Ottawa, with the teams having split their previous 12 meetings since January 2018. It also extends the Bold’s undefeated regular-season record to six games following their Nov. 6 triumph over the Windsor Lancers on Banner Raising Night. 

The first quarter started off woefully for the hosts, with fifth-year guard Myriam Kone exiting early in the frame following a hard contact to the neck. Kone, a potential favourite for league MVP, would not return to the matchup. 

Fourth-year forward Hailey Franco DeRyck was also forced out during the frame with a bloody nose after receiving contact from an opponent. 

The Gee-Gees capitalized on the advantage, immediately establishing a strong paint presence and holding the Bold to 1 for 7 from the field to start the game. 

Responding with fervour, Toronto leaned on their depth players, led by other veterans such as fourth-year guards Kait Nichols and Alex Pino.

When asked about these players stepping up, TMU interim head coach Stefanija Mrvaljevic said “that’s a part of our process, all fifteen players work so hard to stay ready for when their number is called.”  

At the end of the first quarter, neither team was set apart from the other, with the score even at 19. 

TMU took dominance heading into the second, thanks to second-year guard Ella McDonald’s driving layup that gave the Bold their first lead of the contest. 

McDonald had 15 points in the matchup going 5-11 from the field, crediting her defensive support in her scoring.

“The way our defence was forcing turnovers and gave me open shots allowed me to gain confidence from the floor tonight,” said McDonald.

It was at this point when TMU’s offensive attack exploded, combining for a 24-5 run, which featured six offensive rebounds contributing to ten points.

When asked about winning the little things like offensive rebounding and turnovers, Mrvaljevic said, “the little things are the big things, were winning the margins this is a part of our process of how we are a defensively tough team.”

By the end of the frame, the TMU lead had been lengthened to 50-28, and the home side held the Gee-Gee’s to single digit points in the quarter with 9. Meanwhile, on the other side, 29 of the Bold’s 50 points in the first half came from the TMU bench. 

After half-time, turnovers arose on both sides, causing a battle for possession. That said, the Bold’s defensive consistency remained, taking a 67-30 lead into the fourth. 

With one quarter remaining and a large gap between the sides, TMU took the time to bring in backups to increase playing time and squad depth.

First-year forward Lily Blondon picked up a career high 15 points, including 6 points in the final frame.

The Bold continued to apply attacking pressure, draining out the clock and also the remaining energy out of their opponents, resulting in a final emphatic 90-36 victory for TMU.

UP NEXT: The Bold take on the Western University Mustangs tomorrow night at the MAC. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m.