TORONTO — The Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold saw their impressive 11-game winning streak come to an end in a closely fought 70-67 loss to the York University Lions in an OUA Central showdown.
Myriam Kone led the team with 26 points and five rebounds, while Hailey Franco DeRyck added a double-double of 17 points and 12 rebounds, but their performances were not enough to push the Bold past the Lions.
Heading into the matchup, TMU was anticipating an intense battle from their cross-city competitors. Their previous meeting in the fall marked the Bold's closest contest of the season, a 62-53 win.
TMU opened the first quarter displaying solid Bold basketball, taking command of the court and driving offensive initiatives. Franco DeRyck made an immediate impact, nailing back-to-back and-one layups.
Defensively, TMU held strong, holding off York from the 5:56 to 2:42 mark and doing a good job defending the Lions' physical play.
Late three-pointers from both Catrina Garvey and Alex Pino helped the Bold build a double-digit lead after the first quarter, 22-11.
Kone got things started for the Bold in the second quarter with a deep three to set the offensive tone. Franco DeRyck continued to muscle her way in the paint, while Jessica Keripe was a key driver on the Bold's defensive end.
York began to find some offensive rhythm, with Kiara Leveridge showing confidence from beyond the arc. The Bold held the Lions off, maintaining their lead at halftime, 42-33.
The start of the second half marked increased pressure from York, as Leveridge and Ella Okubasu found consistent scoring opportunities.
Opportunities were there for the Bold, but shots were not falling. The heightened intensity of the game led to some uncharacteristic mistakes from TMU.
Still, the Bold closed the quarter strong. Pino netted a fast-break layup, followed by a clutch late three from Kone, as TMU narrowly held the lead heading into the fourth, 51-48.
It went down to the wire in the fourth quarter, with both teams trading the lead in a true back-and-forth battle. Offensive efforts from Kone and Franco DeRyck continued, but York responded quickly to each push.
Zoe Idahosa drew key fouls, though her shots were unable to fall in TMU's favour.
Keripe delivered a strong defensive effort, forcing turnovers and disrupting York's offence, while Kone battled on the boards in the closing minutes to keep possession with the Bold.
With 13 seconds remaining and the game tied 67-67, York had possession. Leveridge knocked down a three-point jumper to secure the 70-67 win for the Lions.
The loss serves as added motivation for the Bold as they embark on a busy four-game road stretch.
TMU returns to action Friday, Jan. 16, against the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees at Montpetit Hall. Tip-off is set for 6:00 p.m., with live coverage available on OUA.tv.
