The York University men's basketball team played their best game of the season against the nationally-ranked Ottawa Gee-Gees on Saturday evening at the Tait McKenzie and picked up a huge 78-67 win.
 
The Lions started the first quarter playing some impressive basketball picking up a six-point lead at the midway mark. After the first two points came from Gene Spagnuolo sinking two free throws, Nana Adu-Poku added the next eight points for the Lions off two free throws, two lay-ups and a jump shot to lead the Gee-Gees 10-4. With two minutes remaining, DeAndre Pierre nailed a three-pointer to lead the Gee-Gees 17-10. The Gee-Gees added two final points and trailed 17-12 by the end of the first quarter.
 
Spagnuolo opened up the second quarter nailing a three-pointer increasing the Lions' lead, 20-12. The Gee-Gees hit two three-pointers in a row to close the lead to just two points, 20-18, however Chevon Brown answered the momentum of the Gee-Gees sinking a three-pointer of his own. Near the end of the quarter, a jump shot by Pierre brought the score to 29-20, forcing the Gee-Gees into another time out. The Lions ended the half leading the Gee-Gees 35-28.
 
The Gee-Gees earned the first six points to bring the game to a one-point lead for the Lions. The Gee-Gees picked up their first lead of the game 36-35, however the Lions were quick to earn their lead back after a lay-up by Pierre. The home squad then went on a run earning eight consecutive points which brought the Lions back to a comfortable 48-39 lead. With two minutes remaining, Brown hit another three increasing the Lions' lead to 54-41. Brown earned the final two points after the Lions stole the ball off a Gee-Gees inbound, to end the quarter leading 58-46.
 
The Lions held onto their lead throughout the fourth quarter as well. With four minutes remaining, the Lions had a 68-56 lead on the Gee-Gees. A huge steal by Spagnuolo led Pierre to make a lay-up and increase the lead to 71-59 with nearly two minutes remaining. The Lions ended the quarter adding seven more points and bringing the entire crowd to their feet applauding their much-deserved win.
 
Brown led the Lions with 22 points, two rebounds and two assists, while Pierre earned 16 points, three assists, and three steals. The Lions three graduating players Spagnuolo, Adu-Poku, and Gianmarco Luciani, who were honoured on the court before the game, were also big factors in the win. Spagnuolo earned 15 points, three assists and three steals, Adu-Poku had 12 points, eight rebounds and one block, while Luciani led the team with ten rebounds, three points and one assist.
 
The win marks the biggest of head coach Nate Philippe's tenure with the Lions since taking over in advance of the 2017-18 season. With seven wins on the season the Lions have more than tripled their total from last year and now have a win against one of the top teams in the country to take into the final weekend of the regular season.
 
The Lions are now tied with the Toronto Varsity Blues for the last playoff spot in the OUA East division, with two huge games on tap for next weekend. The Lions will play on the road in their final two games of the regular season on the road against the Ryerson Rams on Friday, Feb. 15 at 8pm and face the Blues on Saturday, Feb. 16 at 8pm.