ST. CATHARINES, Ont. — The No. 9 ranked Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold women's basketball team defeated the Brock Badgers with a decisive 78-52 win on Wednesday night. With the postseason fast approaching, the in-division win helps the Bold stay atop the OUA Central. If they maintain this position with three games remaining, they will receive a first-round bye in the OUA playoffs.

TMU's Jayme Foreman delivered an outstanding shooting performance, finishing the game with 25 points to propel the Bold to victory.

With the stakes high in the final few regular season games, it was a tight first quarter. Catrina Garvey got things started for the Bold offensively with a smooth jumper. The lead continuously switched between the two teams with each side determined to get the early advantage. 

The Bold lost their lead to the Badgers with less than three minutes remaing in the first quarter before Kait Nichols executed a three-point play to help the Bold regain the lead. Brock responded to tie the game in the final minute, but with seconds left, Hayley Fedick sank a buzzer-beater three-pointer, giving the Bold a 17-14 lead at the end of the first quarter. 

In the second quarter, Foreman put on a three-point display. She accumulated four threes just in the second quarter, finishing the first half with 17 points. Kaillie Hall executed point-scoring plays, both assisting and making shots of her own. She finished the first half with eight points and four assists.

The Bold outshot the Badgers significantly in the second quarter, 25-8. At the half the Bold held a comfortable 20-point lead, 42-22.

To start the second half, Garvey came out with confidence, knocking down back-to-back threes. The Bold's defence looked solid, pushing a full-court press to keep Brock on their toes.

TMU's Hailey Franco DeRyck delivered a double-double performance, digging deep in the paint. She finished the game with 15 rebounds and 11 points. The Bold closed out the third quarter with the lead, 60-35.

With Brock losing energy and the Bold feeding off their lead, they continued to dominate offensively. The fourth quarter marked a milestone for Hall, who scored her 1000th career point with the Bold. Foreman continued to bring the heat from the three, pushing the Bold to victory, 78-52.

The Bold will host the York Lions on Saturday, Feb. 8 for their final home game of the regular season.

Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. with senior night celebrations to follow the game at the Mattamy Athletic Centre. Come and support the Bold in person. TMU students get in free with their OneCard.