Opening up 2024 on the road, the York University Lions women's basketball team returns home to Tait McKenzie Centre to face two tough opponents, the Brock Badgers and McMaster Marauders. Splitting last weekend, the Lions earned their second win of the season over the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks before suffering a loss to the Queen's Gaels the following evening.
In another dominant game for Kiara Leveridge, the second-year player helped lead her team to their second win of the 2023-24 schedule. York quickly got on the board in the first quarter to dominate the Ridgebacks, and continued their run throughout the first to take a 29-14 edge. Gabby Di Pietro and Ruqaya Green played crucial roles in the offensive drive for York, combining for 31 points. At half, the Lions led 55-24, and did not let up. They ran away in the third, taking the quarter 22-13, and after a closer contested final quarter, the Lions ended the game 45 points ahead of the Ridgebacks, 93-48.
Hoping to keep themselves in the win column, York was on the road at Queen's. This night out, the Lions could not get their groove the way they had the night before. The Gaels took the first quarter 22-11 and quarter two looked similar as they led 46-26. The third quarter was a close battle as York tried to work their way back into the game, but the Gaels solidified the third by two points, 16-14 to enter the final frame 64-40. The fourth quarter was all Queen's as they racked up 33 points, and led by 42 points to win 95-53.
The Match-up:
Jan. 19 York (2-11) vs. Brock Badgers (9-4)
Jan. 20Â York (2-11) vs. McMaster Marauders (7-6)
Game Details:
Fri., Jan. 19 vs Brock (6:00 pm OUA.tv)
Sat., Jan. 20 vs McMaster (6:00 pm OUA.tv)
Current Streaks:
York - Loss 4
Brock - Won 4
McMaster - Won 1
Quick Facts:
York:
- Kiara Leveridge's 73-215 field goals is 10th in the conference
- York leads the OUA in free throw attempts per game (24.1)
Brock:
- Brock leads the conference with 13.8 personal fouls per game
- Madalyn Weinert leads the OUA with 276 points and 21.2 points per game
McMaster:
- The Marauders 17.5 assists per game is 2nd in the conference
- Jenna Button's 44.9 3PT percentage is 2nd in the OUA
Lions to Watch:
#10 KATY LEUDY: First-year guard... In her 13 games played she has recorded 327 minutes and started in 10 games... She has tallied 49 total rebounds, 37 defensive and 12 offensive, averaging 3.8 rebounds per game... She shot 3-4, 75.0%, 3pt on Jan. 13 against Queen's and shot 62.5% from the free throw line.
#16 GABBY DI PIETRO: First-year guard... Playing in 13 games this year and getting a start in one, she is 23rd in the OUA shooting 17-56 from behind the arc, averaging 30.4, 3 pt percentage... She tallied a seasons high 17 points on Jan. 12 against Ontario Tech in the Lions 93-48, setting a seasons high 71.4 percentage from beyond the arc.
