Hamilton, Ont. — The Toronto Metropolitan University Bold (TMU) erased a 15-point deficit to defeat the McMaster Marauders 78-72 on Friday.
TMU extended its regular-season opener winning streak to three, but it didn't come easy, especially against a familiar division rival.
The Bold and Marauders matched up in the playoffs in both 2023 and 2024. While the stakes weren't as high entering the night, both programs fought to get their season off on the right foot.
McMaster struck first in the opening twelve minutes.
The Bold had trouble containing the Marauders' outside shooting early in the game. McMaster hit back-to-back corner threes within the first few possessions. Led by Jack McMahan, who shot 75 per cent from three after the quarter, McMaster began the game shooting 4-for-6 from deep. Meanwhile, TMU shot only 1-for-7 from beyond the arc.
Bold guard Gabriel Gutsmore valiantly manufactured points to help offset the team's early issues with perimeter shooting. Gutsmore used all of his six-foot-one frame as he applied constant pressure on the Marauders' rim protection. The third-year slashed his way to six points by the first intermission.
While the Bold's shooting woes carried over into the second quarter, the team continued to chip away at the deficit. When TMU forward Greg Dorsey threw down a thunderous dunk early in the frame, it seemed to spark the team's confidence. The Marauders called a timeout late in the quarter when it felt like momentum was betraying them. They quickly extended their lead to 11 after the huddle. But the Bold responded immediately when Deandre Goulbourne sank a right-wing three. By halftime, the Bold had cut the Marauders' lead to 42-36.
In the second half, TMU star wing Aaron Rhooms hit a gear normally reserved for on-court stars. After struggling in the first half, Rhooms took matters into his own hands when he scored seven quick points, punctuated with a stunning up-and-under move to get two defenders into the air before throwing up a floater. The reigning OUA Player of the Year and First Team All-Star scored 19 of his game-high 25 points in the second half. Rhooms led TMU in scoring last season, averaging 21.6 points per game.
With the game tied at 70-70 and under two minutes remaining, miscommunication during a baseline inbound led to a Bold turnover. Fortunately for TMU, McMaster gave the ball back within seconds. On the ensuing possession, the Bold perfectly executed a sideline out-of-bounds action. After guard Kevin Toth received the dribble handoff at the top of the arc, he zipped a pass to Rhooms, who curled around an off-ball screen in the left corner. On the catch, Rhooms caught the defence backpedalling and attacked with downhill momentum, before scoring two points at the rim.
Toth and Rhooms would take centre stage two more times before the final buzzer. The first sequence showcased Toth's vision when he threw a no-look pass to Rhooms in the paint for the put-away score. The second instance was when Rhooms embraced Toth and offered words of encouragement after the latter missed two free throws to seal the game. Seconds later, Toth sank his next two attempts from the charity stripe.
The Bold's next game is against the Brock Badgers on Oct. 25. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. and the contest can be viewed on OUA.tv.
