The York University women's basketball team defeated the Nipissing Lakers 78-69 on Saturday evening at Tait Mackenzie Centre.
 
With the win, the Lions are still sitting in fifth-place in the OUA East standings with five games remaining in the regular season. Despite a comeback attempt by Nipissing in the fourth quarter, the Lions held off the Lakers to win the game 78-69.
 
Megan Macleod and Katrina Collins-Samuels opened up the first quarter with successful jump shots for the Lions. After a basket by the Lakers, the Lions made three consecutive three-pointers, one by Collins-Samuels and two by Emma Jonas. The Lions had a large lead midway through the quarter, leading the Lakers 21-6. A final free throw by Megan Stewart ended the quarter with the Lions leading 24-13.
 
The Lions continued to have a large lead on the Lakers, leading 30-18 just four minutes into the second quarter. Alysha Pinck earned the final point for the Lions, sinking her free throw, as the Lions ended the half with a 42-30 lead.
 
The Lakers were off to a slow start adding only two points in four minutes of play in the third quarter, allowing the Lions to increase their lead 49-32 at the sixth minute mark. With two minutes remaining, the Lakers brought the game to just three points with the Lions still leading 55-52. Cyanna King made the last jump shot for the Lions to end the quarter with a 60-55 lead.
 
The fourth quarter was close as the Lakers managed to tie the game 66-66 at the midway mark. Nearly a minute later, the Lakers made a three-pointer to lead the Lions for the first time 69-68. King was quick to give the Lions back their lead after sinking a free throw. Jonas added another two points off a jump shot and the Lions led 72-69 with two minutes remaining. The Lions stayed strong to defeat the Lakers 78-69. 
 
Collins-Samuels earned 15 points, three assists, and three steals, while Jonas had 15 points, seven rebounds and one assist. Nipissing's Jamie Soffer led the Lakers with 18 points, seven rebounds, and one assist.
 
The Lions will be playing against the Queen's Gaels on Feb. 1 in Kingston, Ont. Tip-off is scheduled for 6pm.