TORONTO — The No. 3 nationally-ranked Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold women's basketball team took down the University of Toronto Varsity Blues on Wednesday evening, 77-59, during the annual Metro Hoops Classic event.

The cross-city rivalry game, which the Bold celebrated with countless in-game events and giveaways to reward the large turnout of fans, was dominated by two players in particular.

Guard Myriam Kone broke TMU's single-season scoring record, logging her 428th point to surpass Sofia Paska's (2017-18) previous mark of 426. 

"I'm grateful for it," remarked Kone after learning she had broken the record, "my teammates, my parents, God…I feel like without those three, I wouldn't be here today."

The fourth-year guard, who achieved the feat with one regular season game still to play, was unstoppable on the night and finished with 23 points. 21 of those came in the first two quarters, which provided the Bold with the momentum they needed to storm out to the 22-point halftime lead that they held for the remainder of the match.

"Making the right reads and looking at what the defence is giving me," answered Kone when asked what was going right for her in the matchup.

"She's a super dynamic player," praised Bold Head Coach Carly Clarke, "obviously her points are important, but the way she impacts the game in so many ways: offensively, defensively, creating for herself and others…all of those things are some important to what she brings."

Guard Catrina Garvey and forward Jessica Keripe added 13 and 14 points, respectively, to help support Kone in the scoring department, while guard Ella McDonald chipped in with a career high of 12. 

While Kone, Keripe, and others poured in points on the offensive end, forward Hailey Franco-DeRyck cleaned up on the glass. The third-year finished with 23 rebounds, breaking the previous Bold record of 22 that she herself set back in November.  

Franco-DeRyck was just as critical as Kone early, scooping up balls to initiate fast break possessions and earning extra chances for her teammates. She logged a ridiculous 18 boards in the first half alone.

"I thought she just came out really tough and strong to start the game, and set the tone for our defence," complimented Clarke, "her presence, her motor, and her pursuit, is such an engine for us."

That presence on the glass was a key to victory for Clarke's squad, especially against a team like Toronto. The Varsity Blues rank first in the OUA in offensive rebounds per game at 15.5, and second in defensive rebounds at 29.0.

Franco-DeRyck's dominant performance helped prevent Toronto from stealing away extra possessions, which is the Varsity Blues' biggest strength. When they aren't succeeding on the glass, they have a tough time scoring the ball: they sit all the way down at 15th in the OUA in points per game.

"It was definitely something we were emphasizing," said Clarke, "keeping them off the offensive boards, they're great at that. Trying to limit those was important."

With both Kone and Franco-DeRyck's names now firmly in their record books, TMU now looks ahead to their final game of the 2025-26 regular season. They face the Lakehead Thunderwolves on Saturday, February 14.

The No. 3 nationally-ranked Bold have already secured a first-round bye in the OUA playoffs thanks to their strong 19-2 record, but that doesn't mean they'll take Saturday's matchup any less seriously.

"We're approaching every game like we're playing a tough team, like it's a do-or-die game," explained Kone.

"We try to approach every possession the same: bring our best on every possession over 40 minutes," added Clarke.

Tip-off against the Thunderwolves is set for 6 p.m., and it's also the Bold's senior night. Students can enter the game for free with their OneCards.