The York University Lions women's basketball team fell 74-66 to the Queen's Gaels at the Tait McKenzie Centre in their graduation game and their final contest of the regular season.
 
The Lions finished the year with an 11-11 mark and had already qualified for the playoffs prior to their final game.
 
In the first quarter, both teams came out strong with the Lions taking an early lead, but the Gaels started to catch up. Sophie de Geode scored a three to trail the Lions by two, followed by another basket to tie the score. Jada Codrington forced a foul and scored two free throws to put the Lions back into the lead. The Lions were playing fiercely and ended the first quarter 17-15 over the Gaels.
 
At the start of the second, the Gaels came back to tie the score but a three from Katrina Collins-Samuels followed by another from Lauren Golding put the Lions back into the lead once again. After the teams traded baskets back and forth throughout the quarter, a three-pointer from Megan Stewart added to the Lions score in the final minutes of the half. In the last 40 seconds of the half, the Lions defence slowed down a bit but their offence was still sharp as Megan MacLeod scored a three-pointer to end the first half 29-28.
 
In the third quarter, the Gaels quickly pulled away. The Lions failed to get any baskets on the net, which the Gaels capitalized on to take a six-point lead. The score was 42-36 when Madison Bardoel scored a three-pointer to close in the gap. Golding scored a three to follow up and it looked like the Lions were getting their groove back with a leading score 45-44. Cyanna King had a great steal to gain the ball and finished it with an easy layup making it a three-point game. The Gaels came back and outscored the Lions, ending the third 53-49.
 
The Gaels came out strong in the fourth as well, eventually building a 10-point lead that the Lions could not overcome and the visitors cruised to the finish.
 
Collins-Samuels, playing in the final home game of her career, led all Lions with 22 points and added seven rebounds, three assists and two steals. Golding had a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, while Stewart also added 10 points.
 
The Lions will open playoff action next Wednesday in a first-round game on the road. The opponent and time are still to be determined.