SYDNEY, N.S. -- Marie-Love Michel and Alex Kiss-Rusk each recorded "double-doubles," but it was not enough as Toronto narrowly edged McGill 71-70 in overtime to open the Debbie Ruiz memorial women's basketball tournament, Friday, at the Cape Breton University Fieldhouse.

Keyira Parkes sank a three-point jump shot with just 32 seconds left in the five-minute extra frame to secure the win for the Varsity Blues.

McGill had a 41-39 rebounding advantage and a 4-1 margin in blocks, while the Varsity Blues held an 11-8 lead in steals and a 22-21 edge in turnovers.

Michel, a physical education junior from Montreal, scored 13 points and nabbed a dozen rebounds, including nine in the defensive zone. She shot 6-for-12 from the floor, netted her only free-throw attempt and had two assists.

Kiss-Rusk, a 6-foot-4 centre from Beaconsfield, Que., tallied 15 points and added 11 rebounds. She shot 7-for-15 from the field and 1-for-4 from the charity-stripe, in addition to three assists, a pair of blocks and one steal.

Toronto led 20-9 after the opening quarter and 39-32 at halftime but the Martlets bounced back with a dominant 16-7 third quarter advantage to take a 48-46 lead. The teams were knotted at 67-67 after regulation time, forcing the extra period.

McGill freshman Ruth Tshikudi-Tshila of Montreal scored 14 points and pulled down eight rebounds in 31 minutes off the bench. The 6-foot forward was 6-for-10 from the floor, sank both her free-throws, had three assists, two blocks, and stole one ball. Teammate Frederique Potvin, a social work transfer from Ste. Julie, Que., added 14 points. She shot 5-for-15 from the field, including 2-for-8 from beyond the arc, and was 2-for-3 on free-throws. She also grabbed one rebound and had four assists and two steals.

Toronto was led by Parkes, a 5-foot-1 guard from Scarborough, Ont., who drained five treys on 10 attempts. Teammate Charlotte Colyer of Colleyville, Texas followed with 14 points and eight rebounds.

McGill shot 39.4 per cent from the floor (28/71), sank four of 16 attempts from three-point range, and was 10-for-14 from the stripe (71.4 per cent). Toronto shot 31.3 per cent (25/80) from the field, 29.0 from beyond the arc (9/31) and went 12-for-16 on free-throws.

The Varsity Blues play UNB at 5 p.m. EDT on Saturday (Oct. 15). The Martlets then take on the hosts, Cape Breton Capers at 7 p.m. Eastern.

FOR MORE INFO CONTACT:
Kirsten Whelan or Earl Zukerman
McGill Sports Info Office
(514) 398-7012