The York University Lions women's basketball team was defeated 71-26 by the No. 8 nationally-ranked Ryerson Rams on Friday (Jan. 23) at Tait McKenzie Centre.
 
Dominating the first half, the visiting Rams ended the first quarter with a comfortable lead at 17-6 after one quarter, and by the end of the half the scoreline read 33-17 in favour of the Rams. They continued to cruise in the second half, outscoring the Lions 38-9 to pick up the easy victory.
 
The Rams got off to an explosive start with Annie Sokoloff scoring the first basket of the game. Shauney Fischer (Wallaceburg, Ont.) scored the Lions' first basket.
 
The Lions were unable to break the Rams' stubborn defence. At 11-2, the Lions called a timeout and Ishanaa Seupersadsingh (Markham, Ont.) eventually broke the drought at 15-4.
 
In the second quarter, the Rams continued their domination as they capitalized on several mistakes by the home team.
 
Courtney Osborne (Markham, Ont.) gave the team a lifeline, dribbling past three defenders and scored on the lay-up, but it wasn't enough to stop the offensive force of the Rams and they carried the big lead into the half.
 
The second half was all about the Rams, who scored the additional 38 points for a massive victory.
 
Mariah Nunes and Keneca Pingue-Giles showed good chemistry on the counter-attack for the first basket of the third quarter.
 
Emma Thompson (London, Ont.) scored an open three-pointer, courtesy of a good play by Seupersadsingh, who did well to keep possession in half court despite the double-team pressure on her.
 
Seupersadsingh made a good steal and fast break basket, but the Rams ended the quarter at 55-25.
 
The fourth quarter continued to be all about the Rams and they rolled to the win, their OUA East-leading 10^th of the season to maintain top spot in the division at 10-3. The Lions fell to 2-10 with the loss.
 
Seupersadsingh ended the game with seven points, six defensive rebounds, three steals and a block. The Rams' Silvana Jez achieved a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
 
The Lions will play their annual Shoot for a Cure game against the Toronto Varsity Blues at the Tait McKenzie Centre on Saturday (Jan. 24) at 6pm in their next contest.