The York University Lion women's basketball team started off the new year with a 75-61 loss against the Toronto Varsity Blues at the Goldring Centre in Toronto on Friday afternoon (Jan. 8).
 
In the first quarter the Lions started the game off strong, holding a five-point lead over the Varsity Blues. However Rashida Atkinson and Diedre Edwards kept Toronto in the game and the quarter ended with a 13-13 tie to head into the first intermission.
 
The Lions trailed closely behind the Varsity Blues for the majority of the second quarter, but after Atkinson broke free with a consecutive eight points for her team the Lions couldn't regain their footing. The quarter ended in a 39-25 score in favour of Toronto.
 
In the last half of the game the Lions couldn't level out the scoring despite the convincing 29 points they tallied over the Varsity Blues' 22 points in the fourth quarter.
 
The game ended in a 75-61 score in favour of Toronto. Atkinson led the team with 17 points, while Emily Piccini scored 14 and Edwards scored 13.
 
For the Lions, Taylor McAlpine (Huntsville, Ont.) dominated from the field and free throw line, putting up 12 points to the board. Jackie Koudys (Smithville, Ont.) and Ishanaa Seupersadsingh (Markham, Ont.) both tallied 11 points, with Koudys sinking three three-point shots and Seupersadsingh grabbing four defensive rebounds and assists apiece.
 
Katrina Collins-Samuels (Hamilton, Ont.) also grinded out eight points from the free throw line and two from the field to contribute 12 points to the team's total, and Sandra Nagowska (Peterborough, Ont.) played a remarkable defensive game grabbing 11 rebounds.
 
The Lions will continue their run on the road and hit the court on Wednesday (Jan. 13) to take on the Ryerson Rams. Tip-off will be at 6pm at the Mattamy Athletic Centre.