TORONTO — In addition to preparing for exams in the classroom, the No. 3 ranked Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold women's basketball team faced one of their final tests on the court before the semester's end. 

The Bold had aced every on-court assignment up to this point and they continued their reign at the top of the class after defeating the Laurentian Voyageurs 91-61 on Friday. 

With the victory, TMU improved to a perfect 9-0 this season. It's the program's best start since the 2023-24 season (10-0). 

Bold guard Catrina Garvey led all scorers with 23 points. Her teammates Myriam Kone and Kait Nichols respectively added 19 and 16 points.

Led by forward Hailey Franco DeRyck, TMU forced three early turnovers to begin the game. Franco DeRyck nearly recorded her fourth double-double of the season with eight points and 12 rebounds. It was Franco DeRyck's seventh straight game with at least ten rebounds. 

Even when Franco DeRyck was forced to the bench after picking up two early fouls in the opening quarter, TMU relied on its depth during a 10-10 stretch. By the time Franco DeRyck re-entered the game, TMU had maintained its three-point lead. 

A significant portion of the defensive game plan centered around limiting Laurentian's Emilie Lafond. The six-foot-three forward entered the contest averaging 14.5 points and 7.5 rebounds. Lafond's intimidating presence has fuelled the Voyaguers this season and she's a primary reason why the team entered the matchup on a three-game winning streak.

The Bold held Lafond to nine points on 27.2 per cent shooting. While Franco DeRyck was tasked as the primary on-ball defender, Bold Head Coach Carly Clarke's defensive scheme required the entire team. TMU consistently brought an extra defender from the weak side when Lafond caught the ball on the block or in the paint. 

"It's something we prepared for all week," said Franco DeRyck. "Bringing that extra player, being connected and knowing where that next pass is going to go." 

Like most OUA contenders, TMU emerged from halftime with an increased level of intensity. The Bold's half-court defence remained vigilant, but their full-court press effectively sped up the Voyageurs' offence. Laurentian didn't score its first bucket of the second half until the 5:12 mark of the third quarter. The Bold's defence ultimately forced 22 turnovers, which led to 24 points.

"We love to make people uncomfortable and apply pressure," said Franco DeRyck. "That's what we thrive off." 

When the Bold weren't racing down the court in transition, they were flawlessly executing their half-court offence. Garvey touched the ball on a majority of TMU's baseline-out-of-bounds actions. Her ability to navigate screens and leverage her defender's positioning was a major advantage for TMU. In these sequences, Garvey finished with nine points on 4-of-6 shooting. 

"I think she attracts a lot of attention as a great shooter," said Clarke. "Even when she doesn't get it, other people get open from her cutting." 

Clarke sees a lot of similarities between Garvey and another movement type of scorer in GLOBL JAM MVP Avery Howell. The Canadian represented the national team and was coached by Clarke during the U23 tournament hosted at the Mattamy Athletic Centre this past summer.

"They're two great shooters and huge competitors," said Clarke. 

Harvey is averaging 15.7 points on 42.2 per cent shooting, with most of her opportunities coming off-ball. 

"It's honestly just a game of reads," said Garvey. "Which I find really fun." 

The Bold play their final game before the holiday break against the Nipissing Lakers on Nov. 29. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m., and students can attend for free with their OneCard.