By Eli Silverstone
The Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold men’s basketball team crushed the Algoma Thunderbirds 115-52 in the Bold’s home opener on Saturday evening at the Mattamy Athletic Centre (MAC).
The offensive outburst of 115 points is the highest total in a game for the Bold since they scored 116 against the McMaster Marauders on Jan. 29, 2020. The win builds on TMU’s strong start to the season, pushing their record to 3-1—the best four-game start since their U Sports silver medal season in 2018-19, where they started 10-0.
Every player on the Bold who touched the floor found themselves on the scoresheet, with six players in double figures. The scoring outburst wouldn’t have been possible without an emphasis on defence. TMU hounded Algoma all night, winning the steals battle 22 to four.
“I’m not really concerned with the score. I’m more concerned with how we played. Our defence, our defence has been our mainstay so far,” said head coach Dave DeAveiro.
The first quarter kicked off with a three-pointer from Aaron Rhooms, a signifying shot as the fourth-year guard would finish the game 4-5 from beyond the arc. The Bold as a whole shot 14-33 (42.4%).
Algoma pushed back, taking an early 8-5 lead and giving the Thunderbirds hope. First-year guard Maxime Louis-Jean got it right back with a three of his own while back-to-back dunks by fourth-year forward Elijah Roye brought everyone out of their seats and the lead to 27-20 at the end of the first quarter.
From the start, the Bold placed two guards on a Thunderbird ball handler right from the inbound. In the second quarter, it started to pay off and the score began to separate. Algoma was held to only two baskets on a miniscule 10 attempts while TMU forced nine turnovers in the frame.
Rhooms continued to be a focal point of offence as TMU pulled away. He hit back-to-back-to-back threes to bring his total to 18 before the three minute mark of the second quarter. Roye finished the first half with 10 points—hitting all five shots he took—as TMU went into halftime up 51-28.
“It took us a little while to get going and get our legs under us. But once we did, I thought we played well,” said DeAveiro.
Third-year guard Javier Gilgeous-Glasgow dished out six assists in the first half but once the third quarter started, he decided to do his best Tracy McGrady impression. Gilgeous-Glasgow hit back-to-back threes and then followed it up with a steal and fastbreak layup. He put up eight points in the first minute and half of the third quarter and was a regular feature in the Bold’s offence.
“If we eventually want to be champions, these guys have to grow up really, really fast,” said DeAveiro about Gilgeous-Glasgow and the other rookie guards.
One first-year guard who is making a name for himself and carving out minutes is Greg Angelakos. The 5’11 guard finished with a game-high nine rebounds, game-high six steals and also poured in 12 points and three assists. After being a redshirt last year, Angelakos has maximized every opportunity he’s been given this year.
“Whenever I come on the court I’m just trying to give as much effort as possible and do whatever I can to help the team,” he said.
The fourth quarter continued with Bold dominance. TMU out-rebounded Algoma 15-3 and outscored them 29-8 to cap off the assertive win.
Last year’s Bold team was extremely skilled with plenty of offence but it only resulted in a 13-9 record and first-round playoff loss. Already off to a 3-1 start and with a point differential of +87 on the year, DeAveiro’s team has built a different identity, which Angelakos echoes.
“This year it’s more focused on defence, it’s more on effort… it’s more about team basketball,” he said.
UP NEXT: The Bold take on the Guelph Gryphons on Nov. 6 at the MAC. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m.
Leave a Reply