GUELPH, Ont. - Saturday afternoon at the Guelph Gryphons Athletics Centre, the Gryphons women's basketball team picked up a 69-52 victory over the University of Toronto Varsity Blues. Third year forward Ashley Wheeler led the Gryphons with 15 points, 11 rebounds and 3 steals. Rookie guard Burke Bechard chipped in with 11 points, 6 rebounds and 6 steals. The Gryphons poured in 23 points during the 2nd quarter, and followed that up by limiting U of T to just 9 points during the 3rd quarter. 

"I thought we once again showed great intensity on the defensive end," said Gryphons head coach Mark Walton. "That 3rd quarter was really when the game was decided. Not only were we able to get stops, we also only had one turnover ourselves in that quarter."

The Gryphons played Saturday's game without the services of two of their regular starters, with both Haley Belyk and Sarah Holmes out with injuries. Megan Brenkel (9 points, 4 rebounds) and Quincy Sickles-Jarvis (8 points, 7 rebounds) stepped into the starting lineup and both produced solid performances, while Wheeler led the way offensively.

"Ashley was aggressive tonight and really scored at the right times for us," said Walton. "Aside from scoring, she also rebounded and defended well. She had a good night."

The Gryphons, winners of three of their last four games overall, will next be in action with a road game in Sudbury on Friday, November 24 when they face the Laurentian Voyageurs.