The York University Lions women's basketball team won its home opener, beating the Algoma Thunderbirds 71-49 at the Tait McKenzie Centre on Saturday night.
The Lions were off to a quick scoring start in the first quarter of the game. They registered 23 points to the Thunderbirds' 14, which gave them an early lead that they were able to maintain throughout the entire game.
York's
Emma Jonas fired the first points of the game with a three-point shot for the Lions, which was followed by a jump shot from York veteran
Katrina Collins-Samuels. Other contributors in the quarter included forward
Megan MacLeod with two three-pointers and forward
Taylor McAlpine, who was able to contribute three points.
Into the second quarter the Lions maintained their lead, this time adding 21 points to their box score compared to the Thunderbirds who added 11 to theirs. In the beginning of the second, York's
Lauren Golding helped the Lions add points to their lead as she was secured a solid three-point shot to bring the Lions up 29-19. The second quarter also saw points from MacLeod who fired eight shots, one of them a three-pointer.
At the half-time mark the Lions were leading 44-25, 19 points ahead of the Thunderbirds.
In the third quarter the Thunderbirds were able to garner a couple extra points on the Lions to try to close the gap. By the end of the third, the Lions were still leading 54-39. In the fourth and final quarter of the game, Collins-Samuels and Golding were both at four fouls each, however, they managed to remain in the game without fouling out. As the Lions led 60-43, Collins-Samuels made two three-pointers in a row, which were followed by a three pointer from Golding to bring the score to 69-48.
Algoma's Karly Fracalanza was the top scorer for the Thunderbirds with 14 points and York's MacLeod was the top scorer for the Lions with the same number.
The home opener marked the first win for the Lions who are now 1-1.
The Lions will be playing the University of Toronto Varsity Blues on Friday, Nov 1 at the Tait McKenzie Centre in their next contest. The game starts at 6pm.
