By Monte Safarian

The Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold men’s basketball team continued their dominant pre-season run, powering past the Dalhousie University Tigers 94-79 in exhibition play on Friday at the Mattamy Athletic Centre (MAC).

TMU played an aggressive brand of basketball on both ends of the floor, which contributed greatly to their fifth straight victory. The Bold forced twice as many turnovers—24—and scored double the points in the paint—50—compared to Dalhousie.

Three players reached double figures in scoring—fifth-year guard Aaron Rhooms led the way with 28 points, followed by third-year guards Deandre Goulbourne with 19 and Gabriel Gutsmore with 13.

The Bold faced an early five-point deficit in the opening quarter, but their starting lineup quickly responded with balanced scoring, as all five starters scored. TMU closed the first quarter with a 24-17 lead despite going zero-for-four from beyond the arc.

The home crowd at the MAC came alive late in the frame after second-year guard Kevin Toth converted a tough layup through contact and completed the three-point play.

TMU’s shooting improved significantly in the second quarter, thanks to sharp execution and creative offensive actions such as flares and dribble handoffs.

Four different players—Goulbourne, Rhooms, redshirt freshman Joey Klueskens and second-year guard Landon Wright—worked together offensively from the three-point range. Goulbourne also made an impact defensively, recording back-to-back steals, including one that he finished with a dunk at the other end.

“[Goulbourne] brings a defensive piece that adds to his game,” said head coach David DeAveiro, commenting on Goulbourne’s two-way performance.

“I was just locked in. That’s what Coach told me to do, and I was just performing off of that,” said Goulbourne on his strong showing.

The third quarter belonged to Rhooms and Goulbourne, who combined for 20 of TMU’s 27 points in the quarter—12 and eight respectively.

“They both can score in so many different ways,” said DeAveiro, speaking about the duo’s ability to complement one another offensively.

The pair also knocked down five three-pointers in the quarter, highlighted by a sequence where Goulbourne’s steal led to a transition three from Rhooms on the wing. The Bold shot 50 per cent from the field and 55 per cent from beyond the arc during the quarter.

Dalhousie outscored TMU 20-15 in the fourth quarter, marking the only quarter that the Bold did not dominate. The Bold struggled early, going three and a half minutes without a basket, as the Tigers showed signs of life on both ends. However, Rhooms took control down the stretch, scoring three consecutive baskets—including an and-one in the post and two strong layups—to seal the victory and reaffirm his status as the reigning Ontario University Athletics MVP.

“If you’ve been around here, you’ve seen Aaron for four years now. That’s what he does—he gets buckets,” said DeAveiro, praising Rhooms’ ability to deliver in key moments.

TMU’s depth was a key factor in the win, as 13 different players contributed at least one point. The Bold’s relentless ball pressure held Dalhousie to 44 per cent shooting from the field and 33 per cent from three, despite a solid effort from third-year forward Spencer Riar, who finished with 18 points for the Tigers.

UP NEXT: The Bold prepare for their matchup against the University of Regina Cougars at Kerr Hall on Saturday. Tip-off is at 12:00 p.m.