Bold Tip Off 2026 with 75–55 Win Over Laurier

TORONTO — After a 10-0 start to the 2025–26 OUA season, the No. 3 nationally ranked Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold women's basketball team returned from winter break with a 75–55 victory over the Wilfrid Laurier University Golden Hawks.

"Certainly some rust in some different areas, but great to get a win to kick off 2026," said head coach Carly Clarke.

Myriam Kone shone on the court, leading the Bold to their victory with 24 points, eight assists and three blocks.

Laurier entered the new year sitting near the bottom of the OUA West standings with a 4-7 record, but the undefeated Bold still expected them to bring a renewed New Year drive.

TMU started the first quarter with early momentum, as Hailey Franco DeRyck got some looks under the rim and Kone showed confidence in her shot. Midway through the quarter, post-break rust became evident for TMU, and Laurier clawed back, briefly taking the lead with four minutes remaining.

The Bold shook it off, and trusting their grit, they closed the first ahead 16–13.

Securing score separation was the objective for the Bold starting the second quarter. Kone lit up the court, scoring 14 points in the first half alone, while Catrina Garvey added eight to support the push.

"I don't think I've ever been able to play off of someone so much," Garvey said. "Because [Kone] draws so much attention and she's an incredible scorer and leader on our team."

Despite some foul trouble late in the second, TMU maintained their lead and entered halftime up 36–28.

The second half marked a defensive transformation from the Bold after a slower start.

"We weren't playing to our standard, and so [Coach Clarke] emphasized that a lot more," said Garvey. "How we play offensively is based on our defence."

In the third quarter, TMU held Laurier scoreless until the 5:30 mark, taking charge on defence.

"I thought we really found our defensive identity in the second half," said Coach Clarke.

Jessica Keripe was at the helm of this effort, using her physicality to disrupt Laurier's attack.

These defensive pursuits opened the floor offensively for the Bold. After getting to her spots but struggling to convert in the first half, Franco DeRyck found her rhythm as the game went on.

"I was getting to the spot, into the basket, but I couldn't put it in," said DeRyck. "At half I just looked at the basket and refocused and I think that's why I made more in the second half."

With contributions coming from across the lineup, the Bold settled into their offensive flow.

"We're trying to get better every single day and that includes everybody, and it's great when we can get contributions from multiple players," said Coach Clarke.

TMU sealed the win in the fourth quarter. Kone continued to make her mark as Garvey closed out the game with 23 points. First-year Ella McDonald also chipped in seven points, finding her stride.

The Bold closed out the night with a 75–55 win, extending their undefeated streak to 11 games.

Despite the achievement, Coach Clarke emphasized a one-game-at-a-time mentality.

"I don't think we're focused on the streak at all, I think we're focused on the game in front of us every single time," said Coach Clarke.

TMU will make their way to face York University on Saturday, Jan. 10. Looking ahead to the match-up, the Bold are hoping to match York's physicality.

"Defensively, instead of starting it in the third and fourth, we start in the first quarter, because York is a very aggressive and nitty-gritty team," said Garvey on their next game.

Game time is set for 6:00 p.m. at the Tait McKenzie Centre. You can catch all the action on OUA.tv.