It took all 40 minutes and then some, but the York University Lions men's basketball team is off to its best six-game start in 10 years.

They nearly let a 16-point first-half lead slip away, but thanks in large part to 27 large from Josh Noton, including a game-tying tray in the dying seconds, the Lions prevailed in a thrilling Saturday night showdown with the Windsor Lancers.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Lions began the game on a 9-0 run courtesy of three consecutive threes, the first by Alexis Kayonga and the next two by Elias Panagiotopoulos. The Lions shot lights out from behind the arc in the opening frame, going 6-11, with Panagiotopoulos going 3-3 from the three-point range to help stake the home side to a 24-17 advantage after one.    
• The Lions did not stop there, going on a 15-5 run to start the second quarter. York's largest lead to that point was 16 at 39-23 with just 5:14 to go remaining
• However, Windsor mounted a spirited comeback, orchestrating a 14-7 run to conclude the half. Lancers reserve Yohann Sam contributed to this resurgence with 11 points in the quarter, narrowing the deficit to 48-40 heading into halftime.  
• The dynamics shifted in the third quarter when the visitors took charge and went on a 12-0 run in the first five minutes. However, in what was a game of runs, the Lions went on one of their own late in the quarter, a 10-4 spurt in the final three minutes of the quarter to tie the game at 61 heading into the final frame. 
• The final quarter was a seesaw struggle between the two teams, each With the Lions down 77-73 with two minutes remaining on the clock, it was Josh Noton who proved lethal for the Lancers, hititing a jumper and two threes over the final 1:54, including a game-tying triple with 17 seconds to go, ultimately forcing overtime. 
• The Lions initiated an impressive 16-7 run to start the overtime period to take a 97-88 lead. Noton, remained the driving force, contributing eight points during the extra session. Windsor clawed to within three with six seconds to go, but a paiir of Noton free throws put away a 101-96 victory. With the win, the Lions are off to their best six-game start to a season in a decade, since they went 4-2 in the first six games of the 2013-14 season.     

LOOKING AHEAD:

The Lions will now host the Toronto Varsity Blues in the first of a home-and-home series on School Day at the Tait McKenzie Centre on Friday, Nov. 24. Tip-off is set for 1:00 pm.