TORONTO – On Think Pink and Bell Let's Talk Day, the Ryerson Rams hosted the McMaster Marauders for the second time this season on Wednesday night. The Marauders came out much stronger in this matchup than the first one and won a five-quarter thriller, 81-77.

The Rams won possession of the tip and get on the board first with a free throw, but they would not be able to hold a lead. The Rams struggled early to get a shot to fall and would commit eight turnovers in the quarter. Four minutes in and the Marauders took the lead and continued making buckets. The Marauders showed a different team than in early January, making threes, and defending well. An almost imperceptible shift in pace would occur with just a couple of minutes left in the quarter, as Rams rookie Sarai Bailey (Toronto) would convert on a three-point play. Rachel Farwell (Rothesay, N.B.) would follow it up with her first three-pointer of the game. But the Rams would still trail 19-12 going into the second quarter, with many things they needed to tighten up on. 

"I thought we were flat from the start," said head coach Carly Clarke. "We didn't have our normal energy and compete level and McMaster were really ready to go, and we didn't respond well to their intensity."

The Rams would have a better start to the second quarter, making smarter plays and shortening the Marauders lead to five by the halfway mark. The Marauders would not go down easy though, and it seemed like whatever the Rams would do, the Marauders would do the same on the next play. The teams traded baskets but the Rams kept fighting, having a strong showing in the last couple of minutes. Farwell shot her second of three three-pointers and in the dying seconds Hayley Robertson (Toronto) was fouled in the act of shooting, getting the chance at three free throws. 

"The one game we had them in January, that was an anomaly for them," said Clarke. "They're way better than that score indicated, and we knew we would get a tough game today."

Down by six entering the second half, the Rams came out determined to win this game. The Rams would tie the score five minutes into the quarter as Robertson found an open lane and drained the easy layup. After some back-to-back threes and overall smart play making by the Rams, their lead would increase to five heading into the fourth as they outscored the Marauders 27-16 in the third. The Rams would continue producing great plays in the fourth and capitalized on a decline in the Marauders performance. The Rams had six steals and caused 14 turnovers in the second half. Despite what looked to be a winning performance by the Rams, the Marauders would tie the game at 70 with 15 seconds left. 

"We can't have starts like that against good teams and have to dig out of the hole and try to sustain it," said Clarke. 

In overtime the Marauders of the first half were back, led by Buttenham who scored eight points in the extra five minutes. The Rams just could not keep up with the Marauders quick surge and failed to make some big stops leading to a disappointing 81-77 loss. 

"We need to refocus and remember who we are and how we play and carry that forward," said Clarke. "Learn from this one."

The Rams are back in action at home on Saturday, February 1 against the No. 9 Brock Badgers at 6:00 p.m. ET. Watch the game live on OUA.tv.