The York University women's basketball team upset the Queen's Gaels, 76-70, in the first round of playoffs on Wednesday evening at Athletics and Recreation Centre in Kingston, Ont.
 
The Lions were the underdog team heading into the game as they were playing against fourth-seeded Gaels on their home court. However, the Lions played outstanding basketball all game long and clinched the game in final minute of the fourth quarter. They would go on to defeat the Gaels by six points and celebrate with a large group of Lions supporters who had travelled by bus to cheer on the team.
 
The first quarter was extremely close for both teams, as the Lions and Gaels each had a chance to lead. The quarter was tied a total of five times, however it was the Lions who came on top after one final jump shot by Cyanna King to lead the Gaels 16-14 by the end of the first frame.
 
At the start of the second, Katrina Collins-Samuels made two free throws to pick up a four-point lead on the Gaels. Despite the Gaels making two jump shots, Chante Clarke nailed a huge three-pointer to lead the Gaels 23-18. With one-minute remaining, the Gaels managed to pick up a four-point lead on the Lions at 32-28, which eventually led them end the half leading the Lions 34-32.
 
A minute into the third quarter, with the Lions trailing by three points at 37-34, Collins-Samuels nailed a three pointer to tie the game, the eighth tie of the night to that point. The Lions led for the first time in the quarter at the mid-way mark 42-41, after Haley Bowie sunk a three of her own. With just over two minutes remaining, the Gaels picked up six-point lead, the biggest lead of the night to that point, 50-44. After the Lions earned four consecutive points, Emma Jonas made back-to-back three-pointers and tied the game 54-54. The Gaels managed to make one more basket to lead the Lions by two, 56-54, by the end of the quarter.
 
After a Queen's free throw, Chante Clarke made two free throws and a lay-up to lead the Gaels by one-point, 58-57, at the start of the fourth. Midway through the quarter, Collins-Samuels nailed another three to lead the Gaels 63-61. With a minute left in the game, yet again, Collins-Samuels sunk another important three for the one-point lead, 69-68 over the Gaels. Clarke nailed a three-pointer of her own to lead the Gaels 72-68 with 30 seconds left to play and the Lions closed out the game strong and led them to their 76-70 win over the Gaels.
 
The Lions were led by Collins-Samuels who had a huge 24 points, four assists, and two steals. Clarke also had a strong game earning 15 points, five rebounds and one steal. Veronika Lavergne led the Gaels with 21 points, five rebounds and two assists.
 
With the win the Lions advance to the quarter finals and will be playing on Saturday, Feb. 23 against the Ottawa Gee-Gees at Montpetit Hall.