The York University women's basketball team led the Nipissing Lakers through three quarters until a push in the final minutes of the fourth quarter by the Lakers led them to a 65-61 victory on Friday evening at Robert J Surtees Student Athletics Centre in North Bay, Ont.
 
The Lions came out strong in their first game of the New Year and at the end of the first quarter, the Lions led the Lakers 18-12. They continued the momentum into the second quarter, and managed to pick up a large, 11-point to end the half up 35-24. The Lions continuing their lead into the third quarter, but the Lakers cut the lead close, trailing just two points, by a score of 49-47 by the end of the quarter.
 
The Lakers opened the fourth quarter scoring a two-point lay-up to tie the Lions 49-49. After a big three-pointer, the Lakers to the led the Lions 52-49. Unlike the previous quarters, the Lakers picked up their game and managed to take the lead at the midway point of the fourth quarter. With two minutes remaining, the Lakers picked up a nine-point lead on the Lions by a score of 64-55. Despite the large lead, the Lions brought the game to just a three-point deficit, however they were unable to top the Lakers and the game ended in a 65-61 loss for the Lions.
 
Point guard Haley Bowie had a strong game for the Lions in a losing effort, as did forward Lauren Golding who scored some key buckets late to keep the Lions in the game. With the loss the Lions have now dropped four games in a row and find themselves in the middle of the pack in the OUA East division with a 5-6 record.
 
The Lions are back in action on Jan. 5 when they travel to Sudbury, Ont. to face the Laurentian Voyageurs. Tip off is scheduled for 6pm.