TORONTO, ON – After ending the 2016 portion of their regular season schedule on a winning note, the Gryphons men's basketball team appeared to be on their way to yet another victory in what was the opening game of the 2017 portion of their schedule. However, despite holding a ten-point lead late in the opening half, the Gryphons were unable to come away with the road win after the University of Toronto Varsity Blues put together a big second half performance. U of T outscored the Gryphons 25-9 in the 3rd quarter en route to securing a 77-66 victory. With the loss, the Gryphons fall to 3-4 on the season while U of T improves to 6-3.
 
After a low scoring opening quarter of play which saw U of T lead 11-8, the Gryphons would explode offensively in the 2nd quarter, outscoring the Varsity Blues 27-17. Fourth year guard Jonathan Wallace led the way for the Gryphs with 8 points in the quarter on 4-of-5 shooting. As a team, the Gryphons shot 70% from the field in the 2nd quarter (12-17) while holding U of T to just 6-of-14.
 
However, the Varsity Blues would flip the script in the 3rd quarter, limiting the Gryphons to just 9 points while outscoring them by 16. The slow start to the second half for Guelph would prove to be the difference as the Gryphons dropped their third straight road game after having won each of their first two road games to start the year. Fourth year point guard Daniel Dooley was the Gryphons leading scorer with 14 points on 6-of-12 shooting, followed by Wallace's 13 points. The Gryphons were out-rebounded 45-22 on the night and made just six trips to the free throw line compared to 23 for Toronto.
 
The task does not get any easier from here for the Gryphs who now prepare for a Saturday night matchup against the defending OUA champs and No. 5-ranked team in the country in the Ryerson Rams (8-0). Last season, the Gryphons defeated the then-No. 1-ranked Rams, handing them one of their two losses in a season in which they posted a 17-2 record. Saturday night's matchup will mark their first meeting since that upset, with tip-off at the Mattamy Athletic Centre set for 8pm. The game can be seen live online at www.oua.tv.