After a nail-biting match at the Tait McKenzie Centre on Friday night (Feb. 12), the York University men's basketball team dropped an 86-85 overtime loss to the OUA West's first placed Windsor Lancers (10-6) to remain in fourth place in the OUA East Standings.
 
After Jon Dulmage (Brantford, Ont.) forced the match into overtime with a clutch basket, Nathan Culbreath (Kingston, Ont.) racked up an impressive six points in five minutes. However, Lancers Isiah Osborne sank a free throw with three seconds left of play to finalize a one-point Lancers victory.
 
The Lions were hot off the tip off and grabbed a 23-17 lead to close the first quarter, with several Lions having strong starts to the game.
 
A steal from Jayden Frederick (Scarborough, Ont.) gave Gene Spagnuolo (Maple, Ont.) a nice scoring opportunity, in his return from the injured list Daniel Tulloch (Mississauga, Ont.) hit two three pointers, and Spagnuolo beat four defenders on his way to the hole for two points on a highlight reel layup.
 
In the second quarter Spagnuolo was back in the paint and collecting points, but the second quarter ended with a 38-35 lead in favour of the Lancers.
 
In the third quarter the two teams were point for point. Culbreath, Tommy Hobbs (Anchorage, Alaska), and Lancers Alex Campbell were key contributors for both teams. The quarter ended 59-56 thanks to Lancers Marko Kovac's last-second three-pointer.
 
The fourth quarter was just as narrow as the third, as both teams hustled to try and edge out the decision. Hobbs had fans roaring when he left his defender in the dust with a nice crossover and attacked the rim with a slam-dunk.
 
Dulmage was clutch down the stretch as he hit a critical long range jump shot towards the end of action and a lay-up that tied the score at 78-78 with nine seconds left of play. The two plays forced the game into overtime where the Lions fell on Osborne's made free throw.
 
Culbreath led the Lions in points with 26 after shooting 11 for 15 from the field. Hobbs also tallied 19 points from six field goals, two three-pointers, and five free throws. Spagnuolo grabbed 15 points on six for 12 shooting.
 
For the Lancers Campbell tallied an impressive 29 points, scoring 10 field goals, two three-pointers, and seven free throws, while Kovac had 24 points including six three-pointers.
Up next for the Lions is a matchup against the Western Mustangs that will take place at the Tait McKenzie Centre on Feb. 13 (Saturday). Tip off will be at 8pm.