TORONTO — The TMU Bold men's basketball team was unable to close out the Toronto Varsity Blues for the second time this week, as they fell 97-90 in overtime on Wednesday night at the Goldring Centre.

Despite outscoring the homeside in each of the game's opening three quarters, the Bold saw a seven-point fourth-quarter lead whittle away, and ultimately, were unable to pick up the program's first win of the season. 

An Aleer Aleer-Leek triple put the Varsity Blues ahead with less than a minute remaining in regulation, but after Aaron Rhooms was fouled on a three-point attempt of his own — the reigning U SPORTS Rookie of the Year went to the line and knocked down three-straight free-throws to force overtime. 

However, in the extra frame, the Bold were unable to keep pace with the Varsity Blues, who shot 4-6 from beyond-the-arc in the five-minute overtime frame, and moved to 2-1 with the win.

The loss means the Bold are in an unfamiliar position as a program as they are 0-2 to start the season for the second straight year, something that hadn't happened previously since 2011-12.

One highlight to come out of the night for the Bold was a rim-rattling jam from Walker in the third quarter. Walker forced a steal, got out to the races in transition, before elevating and posterizing Aleer Aleer-Leek for an early OUA dunk of the year candidate.

Walker paced the Bold with 20 points on 6-15 shooting. Rhooms chipped in 20 points of his own, as well as 10 rebounds for a double-double. Ankit Choudhary recorded 19 points, five assists and five rebounds.

Noah Ngamba and Aleer-Leek led Toronto with 18 points.

TMU will continue their search for the first win of their 2022-23 season on Friday night, when they play host to the Waterloo Warriors at the Mattamy Athletic Centre. Tip off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m.