The York University Lions basketball teams hosted the Queen's Gaels at Tait McKenzie Centre on Friday night. Both Lions sides sought to build off victories over the Algoma Thunderbirds last Saturday, as well as close out their 2024 home slate on a high note.
The night was also marked the Lions Shoot for the Cure night, an initiative where all proceeds will be going to the Canadian Cancer Society.
Women's Game:
Queen's commanded the first quarter, starting the game on an 8-0 run. Reigning York female athlete of the week Kiara Leveridge accounted for seven of York's eleven points in the quarter, as Queen's took a 21-11 lead into the second.
The Gaels continued to control the game in the second quarter, outscoring the Lions 20-8. Leveridge once again paced York's offence, scoring seven points in the period. The Gaels led 41-19 heading into halftime.
The Lions packed more of an offensive punch after the break. Leveridge scored seven points, as the Lions kept pace with the Gaels throughout the quarter. However, Queen's remained in control, leading 60-35 through three.
Queen's continued to pour it on in the fourth. The Lions netted nine points in the quarter, with scoring from Leveridge, Alexis Grewal and Ashanti Christian. While Leveridge stuffed the stat sheet with twenty-four points, six rebounds and three steals, Queen's took home a 79-44 win.
Men's Game:
While the Lions opened the scoring with an Elias Panagiotopoulos three-pointer, Queen's responded with a 12-0 run. Subsequently, The Lions would go on a run of their own, getting as close to 20-16. The Gaels, however, would pull away to take a 37-19 lead heading into the second quarter.
The second quarter was a more evenly-matched frame. Liam Rietschin, Rielly Kluchert, Jackson McKinnon-Metcalf and Travon Hamilton each scored four points in the quarter. York still trailed, however, by a score of 64-40 at the break.
York opened the third with promise, going on a 10-5 run that included a three-pointer from Jermaine Harvey-Hyatt. The Gael's would control from there, though, and take an 88-59 lead to the fourth.
The Lions mounted their strongest offensive quarter of the season in the fourth. Mackinnon-Metcalf and Malakai Ayres-Olson each scored eight points in the quarter, and finished with 22 and 23 points on the night, respectively. However, it couldn't contend with the defending OUA Wilson Cup champions, as the Gaels defeated the Lions 110-87.
LOOKING AHEAD:
The Lions travel to Guelph to face the Gryphons on Saturday night to close out the fall term. Tip-off for the women's game is 6:00 pm, while the men's game starts at 8:00 pm.
