Box Score The visiting Toronto Varsity Blues used a 15 point run during the crucial fourth quarter to hand the Waterloo Warriors their second loss on Friday night at the PAC. The run gave Toronto their first lead of the game and it held up for a 79-76 final score. Warriors move to 0-2 on the season.
Waterloo started the game firing from outside and had 15 of their first 17 points from the three point line. Leading the way was freshman
Ali Validipak (Richmond Hill) with three shots from the corners. Toronto was firing from outside as well. With the score tied at 19-19 after the first quarter, 24 of those points were from three point range. By half time there had been three ties, but Waterloo held the edge at 33-30. Waterloo was leading in score, rebounding and field goal percentage.
Quickly in the third there was another tie game, but Waterloo responded and held a 54-50 lead after three quarters.
To start the fourth, Waterloo established a nine point lead with 7:35 left; their largest lead of the game. It was here that Julian Clarke and Manny Sahota led the comeback with a combined 10 points in the run, and holding Waterloo scoreless for over 5 minutes. By the time
Jaspreet Gill (Oliver) was fouled with 2:16 left the Toronto led was six points.
The Varsity Blues would extend that lead by one to lead by 7 with just over a minute to play. The black and gold cut the lead to 3 which set up a desperation shot by
Jaspreet Gill (Oliver) but it fell short. Toronto won this battle 79-76.
For Waterloo
Myles Charvis (Mississauga) and
Jon Ravenhorst (Sarnia) both had 17 points, while
Ben Davis (Mississauga) had 12 points and 9 rebounds. With the close game, Waterloo shortened their bench with Charvis and Davis playing 39 minutes each.
The big force for Toronto was Devin Johnson who had 24 points and 18 rebounds. His inside game led to 15 free throws, on which he made 10. Julian Clarke finished with 17 points and Manny Sahota contributed 13.
With the loss Waterloo opens the season 0-2. The game was Toronto's first of the season as they play Wilfrid Laurier on Saturday.
The break will be short for Waterloo as they will make a visit to Toronto to take on the York Lions on Wednesday, November 12. Game time is 8pm.
