Laura Powers tallied 13 points, 11 rebounds, five steals and three blocked shots to pace St. George Blue (SGB) to a 35-31 victory over St. George White (SGW) in the 2003 Tri-Campus women’s basketball opener.

In a defensive war, SGB battled to a 9-3advantage midway through the first half and stayed in control for the opening 20 minutes. SGB continued to pound the ball down low to Powers and Jessica Robbins and it was Anges Maziarz’s three-pointer at the buzzer that sent SGB to the dressing room with a 19-14 lead. SGW opened the second half with momentum and started to slowly chip away at the SGB advantage.

After an SGB turnover, just three minutes into the second stanza, Jessica Kaknevicius (New College) buried a jumper on the break to give SGW their first lead of the game at 22-21. But SGB quickly regrouped and went on a 14-6 run to take a 35-28 lead. In the final minute, Adrienne Gilvesy (UC) knocked down a three-pointer to close the gap to 35-31, but it was too little, too late. Nicola Snowden scored seven points to lead SGW.

Behind the bench, SGW will be led this season by Faculty of Physical Education and Health (FPEH) student Jaime Simpson and former Varsity Blues women’s basketball standout Vanessa Richardson; the two-time OUA all-star was a team captain with last season’s championship squad. SGB will be coached by FPEH staffers Steve Manchur and Ryan Koolen.

In the second women’s basketball match-up last week, Marija Kosovski netted 14 points to lead UTM to a 52-42 victory over UTSC. Laura Khandjian potted 12 points for UTSC.

In tri-campus volleyball action, St. George Blue had a 17-kill evening in defeating UTSC 3-0 (25-23, 25-9, 25-11). Angela Pick led the balanced attack with four kills. Shawna McGaughey had five kills for UTSC. UTM, led by an 11-kill performance from Barb Sanders, defeated St. George White 3-1 (25-14, 25-21, 17-25, 25-20). Laura Powers (FPEH) had six for St. George White.

In tri-campus hockey, St. George B won their fourth straight game with a 5-1 victory over UTSC. Meanwhile, Adam Rand had three points (two goals and an assist) for UTM, as they cruised past St. George A 6-1. The win keeps UTM one point back of St. George B in men’s hockey standings.