RECAP: #5 Ottawa downs Toronto, drops matchup with Ryerson

JAN. 24 VS. RYERSON 

Despite a strong start to the game, the Gee-Gees were unable to keep a surging Ryerson Rams team at bay, losing 91-67 on Friday night.

The Gee-Gees jumped out to a quick 10-5 lead to start the game, eventually building their lead to as much as seven points in the second quarter. The tides quickly turned for the Gee-Gees later in the second quarter, as the Rams clamped down and allowed only six Ottawa points in the frame.

Things got worse for the Garnet and Grey in the second half as the Rams built upon their lead and coasted to the lopsided win. 

Gage Sabean led Ottawa scorers with 16 points and seven rebounds. Guillaume Pépin added 10 points and nine rebounds, while Calvin Epistola added 10 points.

JAN. 25 VS. TORONTO

Moving across downtown to the University of Toronto, the Gee-Gees looked to put a positive cap on the weekend against the Varsity Blues.

The Gee-Gees wasted no time getting after their opponents, outscoring Toronto 25-16 in the first quarter. Toronto came out with better pressure on both ends in the second quarter battling to keep the Gee-Gees' lead to a manageable 44-30 at halftime.

In the third quarter, Toronto battled hard splitting the quarter with an even 26 points for each team. With both teams in foul trouble, the teams shot 24 and 23 free throws respectively heading into the final frame.

Ottawa turned up the energy and pressure in the fourth, jumping out on a 11-3 run in the first five minutes of the final frame. The last push secured the win for the Gee-Gees putting them back on track following the prior night's performance. 

Guillaume Pépin had a game-high 23 points and four rebounds. Calvin Epistola had 20 points and three rebounds, while Gage Sabean and Kevin Civil rounded out Gee-Gees in double-figures with 11 points each. 

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING:

"We weren't prepared for that level at Ryerson yesterday, they were on and we were off. I think it's part of a learning process for this group, a lot of people forget how many of our guys still haven't gone through those kind of games. I think tonight in a hangover type of game, they did well and took care of business. We got good contributions from a bunch of guys, so I was happy with the outcome." – Gee-Gees head coach James Derouin.

"We had to grind it out tonight and come home with at least a win. We play some tough teams in Windsor, Western, and McMaster coming up, we want to clinch the highest spot possible for national so every game is super important from here on out." – Guillaume Pépin following the weekend. 

UP NEXT: 

The Gee-Gees will take to the road next weekend for games against Windsor and Western. Both games will tip off at 8 p.m. and will be streaming live on OUA.tv 

The annual Capital Hoops Classic between the Gee-Gees and Carleton Ravens is set for Feb. 7 at the Arena at TD Place. Student tickets are on sale now in Room 102 at Montpetit Hall. Adult tickets can be purchased online at TD Place's website.