The York University Lions basketball teams made the trip to Hamilton on Friday night, taking on the McMaster Marauders. The women's team, coming off a much-needed victory, was looking to improve to 6-11 on the year and, in so doing, improve their standing in the OUA playoff race. Meanwhile, McMaster, sitting near the top of the standings, looked to claim their 11th victory and further cement their dominance.
On the men's side, both teams entered the contest seeking their fourth win of the season, with York hoping to snap a four-game losing streak.
Women's Game:
Right from tip-off, the Lions made it clear that they were not going to back down, despite facing a Marauders squad that had been dominant throughout the season. Kiara Leveridge and Ella Okubasu set the tone early with five points apiece, attacking the paint and controlling the boards to keep York within striking distance, down 23-18 after one quarter of play.
McMaster, however, had an answer for every push. Their offense, led by Emily Frankovic and Amy Stinson, was relentless, using crisp ball movement to create high-percentage shots. The Marauders found success inside, putting up 38 points in the paint, but York countered with their perimeter shooting, knocking down eight three-pointers on the night.
As the second quarter wound down, neither team was able to gain separation. A back-and-forth battle saw the scoreboard locked at 42-42 at halftime, as the Lions outscored McMaster 24-19 in the second to pull even, setting the stage for a hard-fought second half.
Coming out of the break, the Lions looked poised to take control. Leveridge, Okubasu, and Bilan Khadar continued to lead the offensive charge, finding ways to score despite McMaster's aggressive defence. However, as the game wore on, one key statistic began to tilt the contest in the Marauders' favour: turnovers.
York struggled with ball security, committing 34 turnovers, and McMaster took full advantage, converting those mistakes into 31 points. The Marauders' defensive pressure, particularly from Frankovic and Stinson, disrupted York's rhythm and led to fast-break opportunities that proved costly for the visitors.
Still, the Lions refused to go away. A strong rebounding effort saw them out-board McMaster 43-34, with Okubasu and Leveridge both securing double-doubles, Leveridge's third straight such game and fifth on the year. The Lions' physicality kept them in the game, and heading into the final quarter, they trailed by eight points.
In that fourth quarter, McMaster attempted to pull away, but York continued to hang around. Khadar drilled a clutch three-pointer, Grewal powered through contact for a key bucket, and Leveridge continued to battle inside, bringing the Lions within striking distance, as they got back to within eight after a 10-4 run put McMaster up 76-62 early in the quarter.
With just under a minute to play, the game was still within reach. York's defense forced a key stop, giving them a chance to make it a one-possession game. However, McMaster's Frankovic delivered the dagger, sinking a tough mid-range jumper to extend the lead. A last-second three-pointer by Okubasu gave York a glimmer of hope, but time ran out before they could complete the comeback, falling 87-80.
Men's Game:
The game began with York asserting control early on, outpacing McMaster 17-9 in the first quarter. A dominant second quarter saw the Lions extend their lead to 32-22 by halftime, with a balanced offensive attack led by Elias Panagiotopoulos, who finished with a game-high 22 points. Panagiotopoulos' shooting was on point, especially beyond the arc, as he connected on four of his ten three-point attempts.
The second half saw McMaster attempt a comeback, sparked by a 34-point explosion in the fourth quarter, as they outscored York 34-19 in the final 10 minutes. Despite the Marauders' best efforts, including a couple of key steals and offensive rebounds in the final moments, York's defense, led by Liam Rietschin, managed to weather the storm. Rietschin, who contributed 18 points and a game-high 13 rebounds, was instrumental in preventing McMaster from making a decisive push in the final minutes.
McMaster made a push with back-to-back baskets in the closing minute. However, key free throws from Travon Hamilton in the dying seconds sealed the win, ensuring York would leave with the hard-fought 72-63 victory.
York's shooting efficiency played a significant role in the outcome, as the Lions shot 42.4% from the field compared to McMaster's 31.5%. The Lions also dominated from the free-throw line, converting 83.3% of their attempts (10-12) while McMaster struggled at 54.2% (13-24). York's performance on the glass was also solid, as they secured 38 rebounds, just behind McMaster's 40, but they gained a crucial advantage by limiting second-chance opportunities for the Marauders.
While York's bench was outscored 35-17, their starters carried the bulk of the workload, with all five contributing to the victory. Hamilton chipped in 13 points and five assists, playing a key role on both ends of the floor. Meanwhile, Dante Forchione registered five rebounds and three assists despite scoring just two points.
LOOKING AHEAD:
After securing a road win over McMaster, the Lions now shift their focus to their next matchup against the Toronto Varsity Blues on Saturday night in their annual Black History Month games. The women's game will tip off at 6:00 pm, followed by the men's contest just after 8:00 pm.
