The Varsity Blues captured the 2007-08 Ontario University Athletics (OUA) women’s basketball east division title with a come-from-behind 99-91 overtime victory over the defending league-champion York Lions on Sunday, before a capacity crowd at the U of T sports gym.
After trailing the Lions since the early minutes of play, including an 11-point disadvantage with four-and-a-half minutes to play, fifth-year guard Kyla Burwash netted the game-tying three-pointer for the Blues with just 28.98 seconds remaining in regulation.

U of T played a near flawless overtime period, sinking six of seven field goals (85.7 per cent) and seven of eight free throws (87.5 per cent). Toronto also avoided giving free opportunities to their guests, allowing the Lions just two free throws in the extra frame.

Toronto took some time to get its offence rolling, making good on a lacklustre six of 21 field goals in the first quarter (28.6 per dent) and trailing 26-17 at the first intermission. Toronto rallied in the second frame to pull within three points of the Lions, with the tally standing 43-40 for the visitors at halftime.

York retained a four-point advantage going into the fourth frame and appeared set to put away the game by scoring six unanswered points within two minutes to leave the Blues facing a 75-64 deficit with 4:20 remaining to play. Toronto allowed York just a single field goal in the remainder of regulation, while the Toronto offence came alive.

In addition to her game-tying score, Burwash added a two-pointer and a pair of free throws in the final 4:20, while fifth-year forward Christine Cho sunk two field goals and three free throws in the late-game rally.

Toronto player of the game Laila Bellony led the team with both 21 points, making good on 10 of 15 field goals, and added a team-high 14 rebounds, including 11 defensive boards. Also in double-digit scoring for the Blue and White were Burwash (20 points), Alaine Hutton (17 points) and Christine Cho (14 points).

On York’s side of the score sheet, fourth-year forward Emily Van Hoof (Lindsay, Ontario) led her squad with 25 points and 13 rebounds.

Toronto last appeared in the OUA women’s basketball championship March 3, 2002, when they defeated the Brock Badgers 69-66 to win their ninth league title since 1971.

The Blues will host the OUA women’s basketball championship on Saturday, March 1 at 7 p.m., hosting the OUA West champion McMaster Marauders, who defeated the Windsor Lancers 64-53 on Saturday.