Returning home after completing a successful weekend sweep up North against the Laurentian Voyageurs and Nipissing Lakers, the York University Lions men's basketball team are back at Tait McKenzie Centre to take on the Algoma Thunderbirds. As the season winds down, the Lions are looking to extend their win streak and continue adding crucial points.
A Friday evening game against the Laurentian Voyageurs, the Voyageurs dominated for the first half of the game, before the Lions completed a second half come back. Coming out strong in the opening 10 minutes, the Voyageurs took control and were leading 25-17 into the second quarter. Adding to their run, Laurentian secured 26 more points before half to lead by 20 points, 51-31. The Lions came out to start the second half with steam as Josh Noton and Elias Panagiotopoulos got the first baskets of the half, and Tyler Pryce worked to close in the scoreline. Down by 11 into the final 10 minutes, York mounted a comeback, tying the game at 72 a piece, and Noton sunk the winning basket to take a 76-74 victory.
Working to extend their win streak on the road, York tipped off against the Nipissing Lakers on Saturday evening. Shadkami got the game going and the Lions were on a seven-point run before Nipissing worked their way into the game and earned an 11-9 lead. The Lions took the lead back and finished out the first quarter 23-17. Shadkami's 11-point second quarter helped elevate the team and York was ahead 50-31 at half. The Lakers started the half on a six-point run but Kevinko Mervart shut it down with a layup and Panagiotopoulos 3-3 shooting from the free throw line earned himself nine points in the third. Hanging onto the lead in the last 10 minutes, Shadkami added 14 points to the board himself, and the Lions came away with a weekend sweep, after winning 88-72.
The Match-up:
Feb. 2 York (8-9) vs. Algoma Thunderbirds (2-14)
Game Details:
Fri., Feb. 2 vs. Algoma (8:00 pm OUA.tv)
Current Streaks:
York - Won 2
Algoma - Loss 1
Quick Facts:
York:
- The Lions are 4th in the OUA for 3PT made per game (9.2)
- Evan Shadkami's 21.7 points per game is 3rd in the OUA
Algoma:
- Algoma's 70.5 free throws percentage is 7th in the OUA
- Boluwatife Obasoto is 12th in the OUA with 1.8 steals per game
Lions to Watch:
#2 JOSH NOTON: Fourth-year guard... Playing and starting in all 17 games this season, he has seen 498 minutes of action on the court which is 18th highest minutes in the OUA... He is sixth in the OUA shooting 76-85 from the free throw line for an 89.4 free throw percentage which is 3rd in the OUA... He had a seasons high nine assists on Nov. 11 against Lakehead, and has 49 assists on the year which sits him at 15th in the OUA... He led the Lions in their 76-74 victory on Jan. 26 against Laurentian with 28 points and four assists, making nine field goals and eight free throws while collecting three total rebounds in 38 minutes of game action.
#21 KEVINKO MERVART: Third-year forward... Playing in 17 games and getting five starts on the year, he has collected 84 total rebounds (30 offensive and 54 defensive) which is 32nd in the OUA... With eight blocks and three steals on the year, he has provided two assists and 73 points... He has twice reached a seasons high 14 total rebounds, the first on Nov. 18 against Windsor and the second coming on Jan. 6 against McMaster... He led the Lions defensively on Jan. 26 against Laurentian with 12 total rebounds (three offensive, nine defensive).
