The York University Lions women's basketball team defeated the Nipissing Lakers 54-33 Saturday night (Jan. 10) at the Tait McKenzie Centre for its first victory of 2015.
 
Taylor Ross (Cookstown, Ont.) and Courtney Osborne (Markham, Ont.) both played an exceptional game scoring 14 points and 13 points, respectively. Ross was also tremendous on the glass, pulling down a game-high 19 rebounds. Lakers shooting guard Maeve Therriault also played a strong game, scoring a total of 16 points.
 
Ishanaa Seupersadsingh (Markham, Ont.) opened the game in the first 12 seconds with a three-pointer. The Lions continued to rein over the Lakers with four more three-pointers from Nina Guzina (Etobicoke, Ont.), Osborne and Emma Thompson (London, Ont.). Besides two free-throw shots from Guzina, the Lions scored all of their 17 points of the first quarter from three-point jump shots. The Lakers trailed behind with 12 points by the end of the first.
 
The second quarter resulted in minimal scoring with six points scored in total from both sides. Seupersadsingh put up two shots, while the Lakers' Samantha Therrien scored two free throws. The second quarter ended with a score of 21-14 with the Lions still in the lead.
 
In the third quarter, Ross grabbed every ball under the net, adding eight straight points to the scoreboard, with three of those baskets coming on second-chance points after an offensive rebound. Erin Sarapnickas (Wallaceburg, Ont.) added three points from a jump shot, while Osborne added one from a free throw. The Lions ended the quarter with 33 points over the Lakers' 21 points.
 
The Lions dominated the fourth quarter, scoring a total of 21 points, while the Lakers only scored 12. Osborne greatly assisted the attack with nine points in the quarter. Ross also aided the Lions' offence in the fourth with six points, helping the Lions win by 21 points.
 
The win was their second of the year, improving their record to 2-6. The Lakers, who are in their inaugural season in the OUA, fell to 0-7 with the loss.
 
The next game for the Lions is an away game this Wednesday (Jan. 14) against the Ryerson Rams in Toronto. Tip-off is set for 6pm.
 

Taylor Ross with a huge double double tonight en route to a Lions victory! ?????? yorku lionpride yorklions basketball doubledouble mynorth #wethenorthyork @3tross1

A photo posted by York Lions (@yorkulions) on Jan 10, 2015 at 8:20pm PST