The York University Lions women's basketball team started the new year off with a bang on Saturday (Jan. 7). The Lions travelled to London, Ont., to square off with the Western Mustangs and left the court victorious by a score of 48-41.
 
The Lions' best basketball came straight out of the gate as they scored 14 points while holding the Mustangs to just seven in the first quarter. Shauney Fischer (Wallaceburg, Ont.) led the charge with an outstanding seven points in the quarter. Her great play in the opening frame pushed her to her best game of the season as she would end the game with a double-double, totalling 20 points and 10 rebounds.
 
In the second quarter both teams offences became somewhat stagnant as York scored only seven while Western scored just four. Katrina Collins-Samuels (Hamilton, Ont.) lead the Lions in the quarter with three points.
 
With the score at 21-11 entering the third quarter the Lions would need to sustain their cushion to close out the game. Both teams offences woke up again as both scored 18 in the quarter. Fischer continued to do damage as she added seven more of her 20 points in the quarter. As each scoring attempt was matched by each team the lead remained the same for the Lions entering the final quarter.
 
In the fourth the Lions remained stout on defence and scored enough baskets to maintain a lead to close out the game. As the final buzzer sounded the scoreboard read 48-41 for the Lions.
 
The Lions' next game will take place on Friday (Jan. 13) when the Toronto Varsity Blues travel to the Tait McKenzie Centre for City of Toronto showdown. The game will be York's first school game and will feature hundreds of local children in attendance. Tip-off is set for 11am.