The York University Lions women's basketball team has etched its first tick in the win column on Friday night with a 59-52 victory over the Algoma Thunderbirds at the Tait McKenzie Centre.
 
Fans in attendance were treated to some superb individual performances. Ishanaa Seupersadsingh (Markham, Ont.) headlined the night with her team-leading 14 points to help the Lions end their four game winless streak.
 
The Lions' victory could perhaps be solely credited to their fast start in the opening quarter. The Lions came out of the gate ready to throw the first punch and knock out the early. Six different Lions got involved to post the team's 20 points in the first quarter, outscoring the Thunderbirds by eleven.
 
Katrina Collins-Samuels (Hamilton, Ont.) took the burden of the second quarter upon herself as she totalled six points off of a free throw, a jump shot and a three pointer. Her clutch shooting in the corner would help culminate her 11 total points in the game while also putting pressure on the Thunderbirds.
 
As the first half expired the Lions held a comfortable 32-25 lead.
 
After the Lions best half of the season they would need to continue their dominant play and had six different players record points on the score sheet, which embodied the teamwork mentality that the Lions carried themselves with on Friday night. The Lions continued to maintain their advantage and led 45-36 at the break.
 
For a few moments it seemed as if the Algoma Thunderbirds might be clawing back into the game. Despite the Lions solid play, they neglected to burry the Thunderbirds early in the fourth quarter and had to rely on their high percentage free throw shooting. Nina Guzina (Toronto) hit a clutch three to give the Lions some comfortable separation in the final quarter of the game. She finished with eight points in the game.
 
Collins-Samuels hit the final three free throws late in the fourth to hand the Lions their first victory of the season.
 
With the victory the Lions now move to 1-4 on the season. York will now have one more chance for victory before the winter break. The Lions will play for the final time of 2016 on Saturday (Dec. 3) when they travel to Guelph, Ont., to play the Gryphons.