The York University women's basketball team were defeated by the Ottawa Gee-Gees 89-53 in the quarterfinals of the OUA playoffs on Saturday afternoon at Montpetit Hall in Ottawa, Ont.
 
The Lions were fresh off a huge win on Feb. 20 as they defeated the Queen's Gaels 76-70 in the first round of the playoffs. With the win, they found themselves up against the Gee-Gees in the quarterfinal game, a strong team who came in first place in the OUA East division, with a 21-2 record during the regular season.
 
The Gee-Gees had an early lead, however the Lions came out strong and tied the game 10-10 with a jump shot by Lauren Golding, and took the lead 12-10 after a jumper by Madison Bardoel. After more baskets by Cyanna King and Chante Clarke, the Lions picked up a six-point lead on the Gee-Gees, 16-10. A hard fought battle in the final minutes of the first quarter, ended with the Lions and the Gee-Gees tied 18-18.
 
Golding added the first two points to break the tie at the start of the second quarter. Despite the Lions keeping the score close at the start of the quarter, the Gee-Gees went on a run and picked up a large lead on the Lions and were up 33-24 with four minutes left in the half. Another ten points by the Gee-Gees against two for the Lions ended the quarter with the Gee-Gees leading 43-26.
 
The Gee-Gees had an extremely strong third quarter adding another 26 points, while the Lions fell behind as they could only muster seven. The Gee-Gees had a 30-point lead on the Lions in the last few minutes of the quarter, and ended the quarter leading 69-33.
 
The Lions played even basketball with the Gee-Gees in the fourth quarter as each team scored 20, but it was too late as the Lions big second and third quarters for the Gee-Gees allowed them to win the quarterfinal match 89-53. With the loss, the Lions are eliminated from the 2018-19 playoffs, while the Gee-Gees advance to the OUA semi-finals.
 
Golding led the Lions with 12 points, five rebounds, and two steals, while Clarke contributed ten points and one rebound. The Gee-Gees were led by Jennifer Crowe who earned 17 points, five rebounds, and one assist.
 
The Lions took another important step forward this year, winning their first playoff game since the 2007-08 season. The Lions will lose two graduating players from their roster in Clarke and point guard Haley Bowie, who both ended their university basketball careers in today's game. The balance of the Lions lineup will return looking to make a deep playoff run in the 2019-20 season.