On a brisk Friday night, the York University Lions basketball teams hosted the Lakehead Thunderwolves in the first of a two-game series. The women's team sought their fifth win to hold steady in fourth place in the OUA Central and maintain their playoff position, while Lakehead pursued their third victory and first in seven games. On the men's side, York aimed for their fourth win, with Lakehead riding high at the top of the OUA Central division, looking to secure their 13th victory of the year and third straight.

Women's Game

The Lions came out firing, racing to an early 10-1 lead within the first four minutes. By the end of the opening quarter, York held a 21-15 advantage, with Alexis Grewal and Kiara Leveridge leading the charge offensively, posting five and seven points respectively.

The second quarter saw each team score 11 points, with five different Lions finding the scoresheet in the quarter. York maintained a six-point cushion, 32-26, at halftime.

Momentum began to shift in the third frame as Lakehead chipped away at the Lions' lead, outscoring York 18-17. That was thanks in part to Paula Lopez and Sara Azzoloni, who each scored five for the vistiors. Meanwhile, Gabby Di Pietro made an impact for York with seven of her 13. The Lions clung to a 49-44 edge through three.

In a nail-biting fourth quarter, Lakehead's Allison Read opened with a jump shot to pull the Thunderwolves within one. The teams went back and forth until Lakehead took the lead on a three by Ally Burke. However, with just 11 seconds remaining, Alexis Grewal made a clutch layup to tie the game at 67-67. But the Thunderwolves' got the last possession, and Azzoloni delivered a heartbreaker, sinking a three-pointer at the horn, with the Lions calling for a foul inside on the kick-out, to lift Lakehead to a dramatic 70-67 victory.

Leveridge led the Lions with 21 points and a career high-tying 15 boards while a banged-up Grewal chipped in 17 points and six rebounds to go along with Di Pietro's 13 points and four boards. For Lakehead, Burke's 19-point performance proved pivotal, complemented by Kelly Coulombe's nine points and four assists. Azzoloni, meanwhile, narrowly missed a double-double with nine points and 10 rebounds.

Men's Game

The men's game began as a back-and-forth affair, with Nathan Carr and Nate Makolo combining for nine early points. However, Lakehead closed the opening quarter on an 8-4 run and York trailed 20-17 after one.

The second quarter followed a similar script, with Lakehead maintaining a narrow lead. York was solid offensively, posting 19 points in the frame, as Carr lead his team with seven points, but the Thunderwolves extended their advantage to 41-36 at halftime.

Coming out of the break, the Lions battled back into the game, locking down defensively. Liam Rietschin hit a crucial jump shot to tie the game at 51-51 with two minutes left in the third quarter. York outscored Lakehead 21-16 in the frame, setting up a tense final quarter tied at 57-57.

York briefly surged ahead in the fourth quarter, sparked by K'Shawn Latty's back-to-back jump shots to build a 64-57 lead. But Lakehead's Nathan Bilamu helped the Thunderwolves claw back, eventually overtaking the Lions with a 13-3 run to close the game. Despite a strong showing from this young Lions team – led by veterans Rietschin and Carr, who combined for 29 points and 15 boards – Lakehead prevailed 81-75.

Harold Santacruz was dominant for the Thunderwolves, dropping 35 points on 13-of-19 shooting, while Bilamu contributed 15 points. For York, Rietschin finished with 15 points and seven rebounds, and Latty added 11 points and eight boards off the bench.

LOOKING AHEAD 

The Lions will look to bounce back on Saturday night in the second games of their doubleheaders against Lakehead. The women's game tips off at 6 pm, followed by the men's game at 8 pm.