Banner Season: Bold capture Critelli Cup crown on home court

Toronto (C/O Kristian Cuaresma, TMU Bold) - The Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Bold women’s basketball team is officially the best in the province after defeating the Carleton Ravens 75-60 in the Critelli Cup on Saturday at the Mattamy Athletic Centre. 

With the win, TMU claimed its third OUA championship in program history and its first title since the 2021-22 season. 

For Bold Head Coach Carly Clarke, who is in her 13th season with the program, there are similarities between her current roster and the group that last won an OUA championship. 

“They’re really similar to the 2022 team with the joy they had in being and competing together,” said Clarke. “They reiterated how important it is to enjoy the process.” 

This was Carleton’s fourth consecutive appearance in the Critelli Cup. After having won back-to-back championships from 2023-24, the Ravens fell one win shy of cementing their basketball dynasty. 

In a matchup featuring the two best defensive teams in Ontario, a grind-it-out type of affair to crown an OUA champion was always a realistic possibility. But in the end, it was the Bold’s defensive prowess that propelled them to a victory. 

TMU’s 13 steals and 10 blocks limited Carleton to a playoff-low 60 points on 30 per cent from the field. TMU’s Myriam Kone finished with three blocks and four steals, while OUA Defensive Player of the Year Hailey Franco DeRyck contributed four blocks and one steal. 

“That’s always been a part of our team identity,” said Clarke. “There are so many people who can be disruptive and you saw their impact today.” 

With both defences focused on their respective scouting reports, the game's flow required heroic performances on the offensive end.

Tyanne Matosas-Adderley led Carleton in scoring, finishing with 16 points. Despite being named an OUA All-Star in her rookie season, Matosas-Adderley provided the calming veteran presence the Ravens needed in the second quarter. Matosas-Adderley went on a solo 10-0 scoring run to bring Carleton within three points (23-20), forcing TMU to call a timeout. 

The Ravens regrouped by leaning on what had brought them success during the regular season. After being outrebounded 16-10 in the opening frame, Carleton won the battle on the boards 16-12 in the second quarter. Carleton led the OUA in offensive and defensive rebounds this season. The Ravens’ tenacity at the rim helped them outscore the Bold in the paint 32-16. 

With the Ravens clawing their way back into the game, Kone responded with her own offensive explosion by scoring 11 consecutive points in the third quarter. The OUA First-Team All-Star also added two steals during this stretch as TMU extended its lead to 52-34. 

“It’s just me and the rim,” said Kone. “That’s all I see.” 

Kone led all players with 22 points. She also chipped in a team-high six assists and finished tied for second in rebounds with nine. Kone’s performance earned her Player of the Game honours. 

“It just feels surreal, I’ve never won a championship,” said Kone. “I’m just really grateful for all of this.”

In a championship game, key moments are often determined by depth pieces. Auxiliary players on both teams stepped up when called upon. 

TMU’s Kait Nichols scored eight of her 14 points by halftime. The fourth-year guard averaged 13.3 points in three playoff games. Nichols opened the scoring in both halves, with a left corner three-pointer in the first quarter and a jump shot from the top of the arc in the third frame. 

“Coming into this season, our goal was to win the league,” said Nichols. “All 15 players, the coaching staff, we put so much into it and we did it.” 

After being named a Third-Team All-Star, Catrina Garvey scored 15 points while shooting 35.3 per cent from the field. Garvey was second on TMU in scoring (16.6 points) this season and averaged a team-high 2.6 three-pointers in 25 contests. 

For Carleton, it was Jacqueline Urban who excelled on the big stage. The Third-Team All-Star finished with a double-double (10 points, 14 rebounds). Urban’s play was integral to Carleton’s 15 second-chance points and advantage in the painted area. 

The Bold finished 14-0 at home this season and won by an average of 24.3 points on their home court.

“They helped give us some momentum,” said Clarke. “It was really meaningful to get one here.”