The York University Lions women's basketball team was looking to earn its second win of the season on Saturday night as they made the trek down the QEW to mingle with their Central Division rivals, the McMaster Marauders.

The Lions dug themselves an early hole in this one, and, despite showing some resolve over the final three quarters, it was one they couldn't quite dig out of.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• McMaster scored the first seven points of the night, setting the tone for a dominant opening quarter from the homeside. They lead by as many as 18 in the opening quarter, and carried a 33-15 lead into the second.
• The Lions made some inroads in the deficit in the second, outsourcing the Marauders 21-18 in the quarter. That cut the Marauder advantage to 15 at the break.
• The third quarter is where the Lions clawed back into the game. They began the second half on an 11-0 run, holding McMaster scoreless for the first 6:03 of the third quarter. They outscored the hosts 20-9 in the third thanks to eight points from Kiara Leveridge, six from Jaz Balan and five from Bilan Khadar. We had a game going to the fourth, with McMaster on top 60-56 through three.
• In that fourth quarter, a three from Ruqaya Green made it a one-point game at 63-62. However, that was followed by a 9-1 Marauder run, and the Lions were never able to get closer than four the rest of the way, as the Marauders took this one 82-74.
• York was led by Leveridge's 32 points. Khadar posted a double-double in this one of 11 points and 10 boards out of the backcourt, while Green put up 10 points and four rebounds off the bench.

LOOKING AHEAD:

The Lions will continue their stretch of five of seven on the road to begin 2024 when they travel to Oshawa to battle the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks on Friday night. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 pm.