On Friday evening, the York University Lions women's basketball team hit the road to Sudbury to face off against the Laurentian Voyageurs. They were determined to secure their third win this season after a challenging loss against the Western Mustangs last Saturday.
 

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Ruqaya Green's free throw got York on the scoreboard, followed by Jaz Balan's layup, giving York a 3-2 lead. The hosts took a scoring streak of their own, now leading 11-5 over the Lions. Gabby Di Pietro and Balan narrowed the gap, bringing York closer at 13-11, still favouring the Voyageurs. After much back-and-forth action between the teams, the guests took the lead as Di Pietro ended the first quarter 24-21.
• The second quarter was marked by intense defensive play, with both teams showcasing their skill. It seemed like a battle of equals, as neither team could pull ahead significantly. Bilan Khadar continued to contribute with back-to-back buckets. Despite York's efforts, the hosts remained close, eventually taking the lead at 39-35. Katie Leudy's shots in the final moments provided hope for the Lions to tie the game 39-39 at halftime.
• The start of the third quarter saw both teams exchanging baskets. Katie Leudy's pivotal three-point jump shot aimed to narrow the gap to two, bringing the score to 47-46 still favouring the hosts. York then seized the lead with Leudy's successful free throws, pushing the score to 49-46. As the quarter progressed, both teams continued to fight for the lead, with Alexis Grewal making the final shot for the Lions, propelling them to a 52-51 lead.
• The last quarter was a nail-biting affair, keeping watchers on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer. Kiara Leveridge's assist pushed York into the lead with eight minutes remaining, giving them a narrow 54-53 advantage over the hosts. The game took a turn as Laurentian gained a quick edge and the Voyageurs made crucial back-to-back shots to take the lead 66-65. In the crucial final minute, the hosts continued to surge ahead while Ruqaya Green and Leveridge attempted to narrow the gap for York without success. The game concluded with a final score of 70-67 in favour of the Voyageurs.

LOOKING AHEAD:

The Lions will strive to reclaim their momentum in their upcoming match against the Nipissing Lakers as they travel to the Lakers home court on Jan. 27. Tip-off is at 6:00p.m.