Box Score ARPAN KAUR // yorkulions.ca
 
The York University Lions women's basketball team powered their way over the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks with a dominating 88-62 performance in front of a boisterous home opener crowd at the Tait McKenzie Centre Saturday evening.   
 
A combined 43-point performance by Cyanna King and Kiara Lerveridge was the driving force in the Lions victory. The victory came as the team's first victory of the 2022-23 OUA season.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Lions and Ridgebacks engaged in a tight back-and-forth contest, with the Lions managing to grab a 20-16 lead at the end of the first, with Leveridge and King leading the way with five points each. 
• The start of the second quarter mirrored the first quarter, with both teams trading buckets. However, the Lions discovered their stride late in the second, with Avery Bathe-Minard igniting a 7-0 run with a three-point shot with 1:21 remaining in the second. The late run put the Lions up 42-33 at halftime.
• With hot hands, the Lions continued to feed off their momentum, putting together another 7-0 run, led by Kings' jumper to secure a 61-49 lead after 30 minutes of play.
• The number seven seemed to be the lucky number for the Lions, as they went off on yet another 7-0 run, forcing an early Ridgeback timeout. After that, the Lions proved to be an unstoppable force, outscoring the Ridgebacks 27-13 in the final frame for an 88-62 victory.   

NOTABLE NUMBERS

• York was led by three Lions with double-doubles. King led the way with 26 points, 15 rebounds and three assists, followed by Leveridge who accumulated 17 points and 10 rebounds. Lauren Golding added another 13 points and 11 rebounds.
• The Lions took advantage of 26-second chance points, versus the Ridgebacks six points.  

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
 
"Super proud of the way we picked up the intensity as the game went on. To have three girls with double-doubles is huge for us. We had to do it defensive end out, so having three girls leading the boards allowed us to get easy buckets in transition. All around it was a great game." — head coach Christa Eniojukan 
 
LOOKING AHEAD
 
The Lions will remain home in an effort to keep their winning spirit alive, as they host the Toronto Varsity Blues on Wednesday, Nov. 16 at the Tait McKenzie Centre. The tip-off is scheduled for 6 pm.