U of T overpowers Lions to claim first win of 2026

The University of Toronto Varsity Blues men's basketball team opened the second half of their season by hosting the York Lions on Friday (Jan 9) evening inside Goldring Centre - Kimel Family Field House, starting the year strong with an 89-80 victory.
 
Though it was an even match in the first quarter, the Blues increased the pace and turned the back-and-firth start into a dominating home court victory. Toronto outscored York through each of the first three quarters, including doubling them up 24-12 in the second. U of T was able to accomplish the effort through their suffocating defence that conceded just 5-of-17 field goal attempts for the Lions and forced four costly turnovers. The Blues also crashed the offensive boards and were rewarded with 28 second-chance points. Despite a late push in the fourth by York, U of T cruised to the nine-point victory.
 
Fourth-year centre Nigel Hylton set a new season-high in the win finishing the night with a team-high 22 points, shooting 60 per cent from the field, while also adding seven rebounds. Third-year forward Simeon Jeffers also notched 22 points four rebounds, while second-year point guard Rohan Scott-Smith contributed 16 points and five assists, and Panashe Dumbu rounded out the double-digit scoring for the Blues with 11 points.
 
The Lions were led by LaDainian James with and Jeremiah Kwarteng who each tallied a game-high 24 points in the loss.
 
Up next, the Blues travel to Ottawa for a two-game road trip, opening with a match-up against the Carleton Ravens on Friday (Jan 16), with tip-off set for 8 p.m. All OUA basketball games are available to stream via oua.tv.