Third-year forward Michael Williams helped the Toronto Varsity Blues withstand a rally by the Queen’s Golden Gaels Saturday night. Williams was a force on both ends of the floor, finishing with 12 points and ten rebounds.

Six of Williams’ rebounds came on the offensive end, leading to a number of put-back opportunities. Also, many of the forward’s six blocks were of the awe-inspiring variety and effectively took the life out of a mediocre Queen’s team.

The Blues (14-5) started off the game with shaky interior defence, leading to a few lay-ups for the Golden Gaels. Forward Logan Rivers was also huge in the first half for Queen’s, putting up 16 of their 30 total first half points.

“We would have been up by 18 or something at the half if it wasn’t for the shots that kid was hitting,” stated Blues head coach Mike Katz after the game.

In the second half, however, second-year guard Dwayne Grant really picked up his one-on-one defence and shut down Rivers, who only managed five points in the second half. Stopping Rivers, however, was not enough to slow down a charging Queen’s team.

Queen’s (4-14) came out for the second half full of energy and it showed in their offensive assault. Guard Jordan Balaban and forward Rob Shaw made key shots for the Golden Gaels, who came within one point of Toronto’s once-big lead late in the game.

The Blues finished strong, though, with the help of third-year guard Mike DeGiorgio (ten points, three rebounds, six assists). His heady play and aggressive nature kept the Blues in the game.

With the game lying in the balance and the Blues only up one as time wound down, forward Nick Snow hit a lay-up. Guard Paul Sergautis, who wasn’t a factor in the first half, finally got on track, nailing a jumper off a good screen set by Williams.

Queen’s again made it close with a bucket by Shaw at the other end. But it was too little too late for the Golden Gaels, as Toronto forward Mohammed Safarzadeh burried a three-pointer that effectively put the nail in the coffin.

Aside from his stellar second-half defence on Rivers, Grant also had a nice game on the offensive end for the Blues. He finished with 11 points and six assists, and used a lightning-quick first step to generate opportunities for himself and his teammates.

“It was nice to get our fourteenth win,” said Katz.

The Blues are starting to pick up their play after a mini three-game losing streak. They won Friday night against RMC in a romp (93-44).

Their next game is at home on February 10 against the University of Ottawa.