The York University Lions men's basketball team sought a series split against their cross-town rivals, the Toronto Varsity Blues, and had the recipe to do just that, downing the Blues in a double overtime showdown with a final score of 112-108, the Lions third straight victory in overtime.

It was another sensational game and a career-high 40-point performance by Evan Shadkami that led the Lions to victory. That surpassed his previous career high of 37 points set on Nov. 10 against the Lakehead Thunderwolves.  Shadkami's sterling showing was complemented by a noteworthy 20-point contribution from Josh Noton, who have proven to be an electric 1–2 punch early in the season. 

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Neither team led by more than three early on. The score stood tied at 13 when the Blues orchestrated a 7-0 surge, securing a 20-13 advantage after the first 10 minutes of action. Shadkami led the Lions offensive output in the oepning quarter with eight of the team's 13 points. 
• The Lions got off on the right foot in the second, leveling the game at 25 with a 12-5 surge driven by Elias Panagiotopoulos' eight points, and layups from Travon Hamilton and Nickele Harris. With the game once again tied at 31, the Blues then launched on a 13-0 onslaught leading them to an eventual 46-39 edge at halftime.     
• Toronto enjoyed their lead for the majority of the third quarter, however, a decisive 10-0 run by the visitors in a span of 1:57 altered the complexion of the game, trimming the deficit to 63-62 with 2:34 left in the frame. York  entered the final quarter trailing by a slim margin of 70-69.
• Shadkami and Noton came up huge in the fourth for the Lions, delivering all York's 17 points in frame. York took the lead on a Shadkami lay-up 50 seconds into the final frame, and led by as many as four inside the final five minutes However, Toronto managed to equalize the score at 84 at the free throw line with just 57 seconds left on the game clock. However, Shadkami once again took charge with a pivotal jump shot, establishing an 86-84 lead. Toronto's Somachi Agbapu responded with a game-tying layup at the 38-second mark, forcing the game into overtime.
• The extra time became a showcase of three-pointers for the Lions, with Shadkami, Noton, and Tyler Pryce combining to contribute nine points in the additional five minutes. The Blues, though, also scored nine points, meaning this game was off to double overtime.
• Once more, the second overtime was dominated by Shadkami, who accounted for 12 of his team's 17 points in double OT. That capped off a spectacular day for Shadkami and clinched the Lions third overtime victory of the season, 112-108.

LOOKING AHEAD:

Up next for the Lions is a battle against the Ottawa Gee-Gees on Friday, Dec. 1 at the Tait McKenzie Centre with an 8:00 pm tip-off.