TORONTO, Ont. - The Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks women's basketball team showed early fight in its first game following the winter break but dropped a 75-55 decision to the undefeated and #3-ranked Toronto Metropolitan Bold on Wednesday night at the Mattamy Athletic Centre.

Laurier (4-8) kept pace with TMU (11-0) through the opening quarter, trailing just 16-13 after 10 minutes. The Golden Hawks matched the Bold's tempo early, holding TMU to 35 per cent shooting in the first quarter.

The Bold extended their advantage in the second quarter, outscoring Laurier 20-15 to take a 36-28 lead into halftime.

Kayleigh Rawson connected on a pair of three-pointers in the opening half, while Kate White and Isabella Cotton attacked the paint to keep the Hawks within reach.

Laurier shot a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line in the first half but struggled to limit second-chance opportunities.

Toronto Metropolitan broke the game open in the third quarter, using offensive rebounds and turnovers to fuel a 25-12 run. The Bold shot 50% in the frame and built their largest lead of the night at 22 points midway through the quarter.

White led a brief Laurier push but TMU took a 61-40 lead into the final period.

Laurier continued to compete in the fourth quarter, outscoring TMU 15-14 over the final 10 minutes. Cotton got downhill for multiple finishes, while White knocked down a three-pointer from the wing.

First-year Alexa Burtenshaw added a basket as Laurier's bench contributed 16 points on the night.

White led the Golden Hawks with 15 points and six rebounds, while Rawson added 11 points, connecting on three triples.

Cotton finished with 10 points, eight rebounds and four steals, and Aikman chipped in eight points, five rebounds, two blocks and four steals.

Laurier forced 21 TMU turnovers and scored 17 points off those miscues, but the Bold countered with a 54-34 rebounding advantage and 20 second-chance points.

TMU was led by Myriam Kone, who scored a game-high 24 points, while Catrina Garvey added 23 points, including five three-pointers.

Hailey Franco DeRyck recorded a double-double with 11 points and 18 rebounds.

Despite the result, Laurier's effort against the top-ranked Bold provided positive signs heading into the second half of the OUA schedule.

Next up:
The Golden Hawks return home Friday, Jan. 16, when they host the Western Mustangs (6-6) at the Laurier Athletic Complex. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m.

The game will feature a Gold Out in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Wilfrid Laurier University Students' Union.

Tickets are available now at tickets.laurierathletics.com