The University of Toronto Varsity Blues women’s basketball team clinched first place in the OUA East division by virtue of their 70-69 victory of the Laurentian Voyageurs Feb. 9 at U of T’s Athletic Centre sports gym.

The Varsity Blues were led by graduating fifth-year forward Christine Cho’s 21 points, six rebounds and four steals. The team’s leading scorer Alaine Hutton also knocked down 21 points, had a team-high eight boards and five assists.

The game was intense early in the first quarter. The Blues were trying to secure first place while the Voyageurs were looking to play the spoiler. Laurentian jumped out to an early three-point lead after the first quarter, 21-17.

Cassandra Carpenter’s solid 14-point first half had the Vees leading by as many as six points early in the second. The momentum shifted as Hutton would led an eight-point Toronto run, to push the Blues ahead 28-25 halfway through the second quarter. Toronto extended that lead to six and lead 38-32 at intermission.

The second half was much of the same. The Blues were able to maintain their lead through three quarters of play and extend it midway through the fourth. The Vees, however, were not willing to let this one get away without a fight. As Toronto extended its lead to 12 points with three minutes remaining in the game Laurentian’s grit, led by Carpenter’s rebounding and Lisa Furchner’s key shots, got the Lady Vees back to within two with two minutes remaining in the game.

Cho and Hutton hit key free throws down the stretch to seal the victory and give the Varsity Blues the number one spot in the East and a first-round bye in the OUA playoffs.

The Voyageurs sit in third spot in the East division and will face the Ryerson Rams in the first round of the 2008 playoffs.

Carpenter led all scorers with a game-high 26 points and 10 rebounds.