TORONTO—
Home at last, was the sentiment tonight at the Mattamy Athletic Centre as the No. 1 nationally ranked Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold women's basketball team hosted their home opener after a four-game road trip to start their OUA regular season.
The love was especially strong tonight as the reigning Critelli Cup champions were able to finally unveil their championship banner.
To put the cherry on top, came a commanding 96-72 victory over the University of Windsor Lancers. It was also a historic night with TMU guard
Myriam Kone posting a career-high 35 points—tied for the program's all-time single-game scoring record.
"Without my teammates, I wouldn't be able to do this," said Kone on the milestone. "Them sharing the ball, them trusting me and coach Stef as well."
Surrounded by a roaring crowd, including former head coach and current Toronto Tempo assistant coach Carly Clarke, Bold captain
Kait Nichols had the honour of dropping the black veil.
The ceremony marked the closing of last year's chapter but is setting the stage for an even more historic season on the horizon.
"We're building off of a successful season last year, but, ultimately, having so many new pieces we're continuing to form and build who we are and our identity this year," said Bold head coach
Stefanija Mrvaljevic.
If tonight was any indication, the Bold are well on their way to establishing that identity. Two starters recorded double-doubles in the win. Adding to her career-high 35 points, Kone had 12 rebounds, while forward
Hailey Franco DeRyck put up 15 points and 12 rebounds.
After meeting the Lancers in last year's OUA semifinals and posting a dominant 97-38 win, the Bold knew they still held some resentment.
The game began with intense energy, as both teams traded baskets in an early battle for the lead. However, the Bold finished the quarter ahead, sparked by Franco DeRyck's early offensive contributions.
"In my other games, I was more focused on defence, but in this game I think our main point was that their best players are more slow footed," said DeRyck. "So we wanted to attack that."
She put up an impressive eight points in the opening quarter, while additional contributions from
Catrina Garvey and Kone helped TMU take a 24-21 lead into the second.
Once settled into their rhythm, the Bold took control. TMU went on a 12 point run to start the second before Windsor managed to get on the board. It was Garvey's jumper that forced an early Windsor timeout, the Lancers looking to stop the Bold's momentum.
The timeout did little to disrupt TMU's flow. Kone and Garvey went on a spree, taking turns shooting from beyond the arc and attacking the paint.
The Bold's defence was also a key contributor feeding their offensive success, with their work on the boards helping generate additional possessions. Franco DeRyck was a key piece to this full court play.
"The energy that [Franco DeRyck] plays with on both sides of the ball is so contagious for us," said Mrvaljevic. "I think the way she connects with her teammates is such a great teammate celebrating everyone else."
Outscoring the Lancers 30-9 in the quarter, the Bold went into halftime ahead 54-30.
After the break, the Bold went on another electric 11-point run initiated by Kone. Garvey fed off the energy, while second-year
Ella McDonald made her mark off the bench.
Intense play resulted in both teams in bonus by the end of the quarter, but the Bold still held a significant advantage, 85-48.
In the fourth quarter, TMU turned to their bench, with
Olivia Dennis bringing her physicality and
Magdalena Vukojev adding a three-pointer.
The Lancers did find a late glimmer, but the Bold's dominant play throughout the rest of the game dimmed their chances of succeeding them.
The Bold took home a 96-72 win, their home opener and banner raising night coming to a poetic finish.
Still undefeated in regular-season play, the Bold will look to continue building in their week off before they host the University of Ottawa Gee Gees Friday, Nov. 13.
"We're not done," said Kone. "We have a lot of fire in us this year, and it really stung last year how we ended it, so we really want to end off with a bigger bang."
Game time at the Mattamy Athletic Centre is at 6:00 p.m. All TMU students get in FREE with their OneCards.
