TORONTO – The Rams hosted the York Lions for Gold Rush, their home opener Thursday evening. The Rams would go on to win the game 77-59 after a strong performance by the whole team.

Coming off a 6-1 preseason record, the Rams continued to play exceptionally well. In the first quarter Ryerson would get on the board first as fifth-year guard Hayley Robertson (Toronto) found an opening in the Lions' defence and got the easy layup. York would finally get on the board in the third minute and would continue to apply offensive pressure. By the halfway mark York would take a one-point lead. However, a couple of threes by third-year guard Marin Scotten (Ottawa, Ont.) and Robertson would give the Rams a five-point lead going into the second quarter. 

"We're definitely playing with more space and playing with more shooters out there," said head coach Carly Clarke. "Tonight was also a product of how York was defending and the shots that we were finding." 

The Rams would keep the lead throughout the second. Ryerson would do a good job of finding space in the post, creating opportunities, and executing the plays. They really found their rhythm in the second, dominating offensively and defensively. Halfway through the quarter Scotten would get a steal and finish with a behind-the-back layup. With just over three minutes left the Rams would lead 30-22. A late offensive push by the Lions would decrease the gap and finish the half with a 36-31 score. 

It was much the same in the third quarter. The Rams would continue shooting their shots and defending their court. They would face a bit of foul trouble early on, taking three in a row but, that would not slow them down. By the five-minute mark the Rams would have a 12-point lead, and the threes would keep on coming whit third-year guard Leyki Sorra (Toronto) scoring two of them. The Rams would lead 55-43 with one quarter left to play. 

The Lions would score first in the fourth getting four unanswered points. While the Rams would cool off a bit offensively, the defence was still very much in the game. The Rams showed a lot of grit this game fighting for the ball, getting steals, and rebounding hard. The threes would also keep coming, Scotten would end up with six. With the team as a whole playing like they did, it's no wonder that they got the 77-59 win.

"I think we're meshing really well," said Scotten. "We have a lot of fun and we bring a lot of energy so, it's definitely going to be a good year."

The Rams are on the road next, heading to St. Catharines to face the Brock Badgers on Saturday, October 26 at 6:00 pm ET. Catch the action on OUA.tv.