The York University Lions basketball teams returned to action Saturday night at Tait McKenzie Centre as they battled the Nipissing Lakers. With the women's team dropping below 500 after Friday's night's loss to Laurentian, and the men's team still without a win yet this season, both York squads were looking to get back on the winning track.

Women's Game:  

The Lakers had the advantage early, forcing Lions turnovers and starting out with a 15-3 lead. Nipissing also went a perfect 3-for-3 on three-point field goals in the first, catching the Lions defence lagging off. York trailed 24-13 after one, paced by Kiara Loveridge's five points, which included a three ball.

Naimh Heath added her second three pointer of the game to open the second, and the Lions began to chip away at the deficit with a 6-0 run. A Loveridge layup tied the game at 28-apiece midway through the quarter, as York began to hit their stride, draining three three-pointers in the second. Nipissing, however, closed the half on a 12-4 run and took a 40-32 advantage into halftime, led by guard Nicole Budd, who had eleven points and five assists throughout the first two quarters.

The third proved to be a low scoring affair, but the Lions broke out in the last two minutes of the quarter with three quick buckets to bring them within striking distance, including a tough layup from Ella Okubasu to start what was a three-point play. York found themselves down only 50-45 heading into the final frame after outscoring Laurentian 13-10 in the quarter.

The Lions got within three at one point, but sputtered out, letting the Lakers expand their lead. However, Loveridge dropped back-to-back buckets, including another three ball, to push it to a four-point deficit with two minutes left. Although carrying the momentum, two quick turnovers that led to Nipissing baskets put the game out of reach. The Lakers sealed a 67-57 win, the fourth straight loss for the Lions.

Men's Game:  

The Lions got off on the right foot, going on a 5-1 run to open the game, capped by a hammered slam dunk from Liam Rietschin. However, Nipissing followed with a 11-4 run of their own take a 12-9 lead. Late in the quarter, the Lions surged back to reclaim the lead, with forward Nickele Harris winning tough battles inside the paint on both sides of the ball. Elias Panagiotopoulos also dropped two three-pointers in the quarter that helped the Lions finish the first quarter with a narrow 23-21 lead.

The Lakers took control of most of the second quarter, and went up by as much as 13 at one point. Guard Travon Hamilton kept his squad in the game, contributing multiple assists and finishing the first half with nine points. However, the two-headed dragon of Nipissing guards Darnaz Mabanza and Alvin Icyogere both breaking scoring in double digits in the first half led to a Lakers 47-36 lead at halftime.

Nathan Carr dropped a pair of field goals, including a three ball, that helped York jump out to a 5-0 run to begin the third. Hamilton also broke into double digit scoring, which helped give the Lions the momentum they needed. However, Nipissing was able to put together a 6-0 run later in the quarter. In response the Lions added a late 6-0 run of their own, from a Hamilton three pointer and a Panagiotopoulos three-point play. Just as the Lions thought they were back in it, The Lakers hit three straight three-pointers in the final minute to go up 67-59 going into the fourth.

Carr continued his hot hand and dropped in another three, but was met right back with Lakers' Icyogere, who had a frenzy of threes as part of his game-high 33. With time dwindling down, the Lions struggled to get a big run going on offence, and Nipissing ultimately took over in the final frame, outdoing Carr's nine fourth-quarter points, as they handed the Lions an 84-76 defeat.

LOOKING AHEAD:  

With both suffering losses, the women's team drops to 2-4 on the season, while the men's team falls to 0-6. Their next chance to bounce back will come on the road against the Waterloo Warriors on Wednesday, November 20th. The women's game will tip off at 6:00pm, while the men's game will follow at 8:00pm. Coverage will be available over at OUA TV.