QUEBEC CITY —The No. 1 seed Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold women's basketball team opened their U SPORTS Final 8 National Championship tournament with a quarterfinal upset, falling to host Laval University and ending their title hopes early, 57-54.

Facing the host Rouge and Or in their first game of the tournament meant the Bold were immediately met with the pressure and intensity of playing away from home in the postseason.

Despite a strong 15-point performance from Catrina Garvey and efficient shooting from beyond the arc, TMU couldn't hold off Laval's late surge.  

Heading into this matchup, Laval looked to bounce back after falling to McGill University in the RSEQ final, hungry to regain momentum on their home court.

At the beginning of the first frame, there were nerves on both sides, with TMU and Laval lacking flow on the court. 

Garvey's three-point efficiency helped the Bold gain some separation. The third-year guard finished the first half with 11 points, shooting 60 per cent from beyond the arc with three makes. 

The initial minutes remained tight, but bold efforts from Eternati Willock and Hailey Franco DeRyck, who muscled under the rim combined with an important three from Alex Pino helped TMU push ahead. 

After the opening 10 minutes, the Bold held a 19-12 lead.

Laval brought renewed energy beginning in the second quarter and began creeping up on the Bold. TMU generated the majority of its offence during live play to compensate for thitseir struggles to capitalize on frequent trips to the free-throw line.

Despite this discrepancy, Laval was struggling with their shooting from distance. The Bold's dominant three-point shooting, 50 per cent in the first half, helped them maintain the lead. 

Myriam Kone also began to assert herself on the glass, grabbing an impressive 13 rebounds in the first half alone while adding eight points.

At the halfway point, the Bold remained ahead, 31-24. 

Opening the second half, the Bold looked impressive with strong ball movement. Ella McDonald knocked down a three-pointer to give the Bold their first double-digital lead of the game, forcing Laval to call a timeout. 

It was after this timeout that the game changed momentum.

TMU's free-throw struggles trickled into the second half as the game tightened. The Bold went to the line 23 times but converted at a rate of only 47.8 per cent, missing points that could've shifted the trajectory of the game. 

A Laval buzzer-beater three-pointer at the end of the third-quarter made it only a three-point game, an uncomfortable position for the Bold to be in entering the final frame.

The fourth quarter went down to the wire.

Laval netted back-to-back threes to open the frame, stealing the lead from the Bold for the first time of the contest. 

The Bold generated offensive looks, but their usual rhythm wasn't there. Franco DeRyck fought hard to keep the game close as she finished with nine rebounds. Laval, however, continued to feed on their resilience.

With their semifinal hopes on the line, TMU needed some big moments late in the game.

With 1:16 remaining, McDonald nailed a 3-point jumper to make it a two-point game. Shortly afterwards, Willock converted a layup to tie things up with 38 seconds left.

Laval, however, had the final say. Sabrine Khelifi knocked down a clutch three-pointer in the closing seconds, bringing TMU's national championship run to an abrupt end. 

Despite the early exit, the Bold have plenty to celebrate after a dominant OUA season and their Critielli Cup victory. 

TMU will continue at nationals with a consolation matchup against the University of British Columbia on Friday March 6, at 7 p.m. Fans can view the contest on CBC Sports platforms.