The York University Lions women's basketball team snapped their five-game losing streak with a 96-59 statement-making victory against the Algoma Thunderbirds Sunday afternoon in their season finale at the George Leach Centre. 
 
Lauren Golding starred with 24 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists, cementing her place among the OUA's best in both points and rebounds. She finishes the regular season fourth averaging 17.3 PPG and second averaging 11 rebounds per game.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Lions got off to an explosive start, outshooting the Thunderbirds 32-14 in the opening frame. But it didn't begin that way. York had a one-point advantage for the at 6:50, and Golding took control of the game.
• She had 11-points in the quarter, kickstarting a period where York outscored Algoma 23-6 to finish the game's opening quarter.
• The second quarter saw the Lions sustain their offensive blitz, with great offence stemming from robust defence. The Lions established a 54-30 lead after forcing 11 turnovers in exchange for 12 points off turnovers.
• Returning from halftime the Lions continued their dominance with a 12-4 run, extending their lead to 66-34 with 4:51 remaining in the third quarter. Maya Abouzeid capped the third off a jump shot putting the game out of reach at 71-37.
• Despite a game-high 25-point effort and an 11-point quarter from the graduating forward Karly Fracalanza, the Thunderbirds were unable to find their way back into the game.
• Jaz Balan scored the game's final basket en route to a resounding 96-59 victory.   

 
LOOKING AHEAD
 
After clinching their playoff berth last week, this win over Algoma brought York into 11^th place in the OUA, matched up against the sixth-seed Guelph Gryphons. That first-round playoff game will be scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 7 pm.