After a strong start to the season, the York University Lions women's basketball team hosted their cross-town rivals, The Toronto Varsity Blues, at the Lions home court in the Tait Mckenzie Centre.

Katie Leudy dropped a three to open the game, and the Lions broke out to a 7-0 run that led to an early Varsity Blues timeout. Leudy dropped another three, and Alexis Grewal added one of her own, allowing the Lions to grab a double-digit lead midway through the quarter. Kiara Leveridge added 6 points, allowing the Lions to finish the first up 24-11.

The second was much closer, with Toronto gaining some momentum back, with the Lions outscoring at just 9-8 midway through the quarter. Toronto ended the half with a 15-8 run, but threes from Gabby Di Pietro and Leveridge helped keep the Lions up at 43-34 at the break.

The Varsity Blues went on a 9-4 run to pull within four to open the third, forcing an early Lions timeout. Toronto fought to within two, but a surge from the Lions, which included threes from Grewal and Di Pietro, gave York some breathing room. With the score back at a double-digit lead of 56-45, the Lions looked to finish business heading into the final frame.

Toronto opened the quarter on another big run of 9-2, but the Lions responded right back with a 5-0 run of their own. Leudy and Leveridge were active in the paint later on in the quarter, leading to another 6-0 run that had them clinging to a double-digit lead yet again. With time not on their side, the Varsity Blues could not string together another offensive push, and bowed out to the Lions by a score of 74-66 at the buzzer.

LOOKING AHEAD:
Now 4-1 on the season, the Lions will head downtown tomorrow for a massive OUA central matchup against the undefeated TMU Bold (6-0). Tipoff is at 6:00 pm, with coverage on OUA TV.