Oshawa’s Ontario Tech split basketball doubleheader; women’s side wins first-ever road game

History was made Wednesday night as the Ontario Tech women’s basketball team earned their first road win in program history, defeating the University of Toronto Varsity Blues 74-71.

In what was a back and forth contest all night long, the Ridgebacks found themselves down seven heading into the final quarter. Ontario Tech then outscored Toronto 24-14 and took a three-point lead with less than a minute to go before Sara Esongola Biango came up with a game-saving block as time expired.

Hadeza Ismaila stole the show for the Ridgebacks as she finished the night with 17 points, eight rebounds and two blocks. Vanessa Budimunda also had a big game as she recorded a 10-point, 14-rebound double-double. Varsity Blues guard Ellen Ougrinov led all players with 24 points and four three-pointers.

Wednesday’s result ends the Ridgebacks’ 10-game losing streak and they will record at least two wins in a season for the first time in program history. They’ll look to build off their historic night on Sunday when they take on the Varsity Blues once again in Toronto.

U of T 98 OTU 74

The men, meanwhile, hung with the Varsity Blues for three very competitive quarters but a dominant fourth quarter propelled the Blues to a 98-74 victory on Wednesday night.

The Ridgebacks bounced back from a sluggish opening quarter and managed to take a 41-39 lead into halftime in Toronto. Anthony Pate knocked down three of his first four attempts from beyond the arc in the first half and he finished as the Ridgebacks’ top scorer with 18 points.

Toronto outscored the Ridgebacks 32-14 in the final quarter as they were able to break the game open courtesy of a 23-4 run in the second half. Evan Shadkami led the way for the Varsity Blues as he scored 19 points, with 15 coming off three point makes.

Ontario Tech’s next game will on Sunday as they will be in Toronto to take on the Varsity Blues once again. Tip-off is set for 3 p.m.