The York University Lions women's basketball team ended the 2016-17 regular season with a 76-52 loss to the No. 5 nationally-ranked Queen's Gaels at the Athletics & Recreation Centre in Kingston, Ont., on Friday night. However, the team sneaked into the playoffs in the final spot thanks to their RPI ranking.
 
The Gaels jumped out to an early lead in the first quarter, ending the first 10 minutes up 26-12, and cruised from there en route to the lopsided win. They stretched their advantage in the second quarter and led 44-24 at the half, and they had another strong quarter in the third by outscoring the Lions 25-16 to lead by 29 points heading into the final frame.
 
The Lions clawed back a bit in the fourth, outscoring the Gaels 12-7, but it was not nearly enough to close the gap.
 
Shauney Fischer (Wallaceburg, Ont.) ended her fifth and final season one point shy of a double-double, putting up nine points and adding 12 rebounds, as well as two assists, one steal and one block. She had a tremendous year, finishing with 10.7 points and 6.6 rebounds, totals that are both career highs.
 
Fischer was one of four Lions to score nine points on the evening. Fellow graduating players Ishanaa Seupersadsingh (Markham, Ont.) and Sandra Nagowska (Peterborough, Ont.), as well as second-year forward Taylor McAlpine (Huntsville, Ont.) all put up the total.
 
Queen's was led in scoring by Bridget Mulholland, who came in off the bench to record 17 points, the only player to reach double digits in scoring. She was one rebound short of a double-double herself, recording nine.
 
The Lions finished the regular season with a 5-14 record, while the nationally-ranked Gaels went 18-1 and have earned a first-round bye in the playoffs.