The York University Lions men's basketball team hit the road to face the McMaster Marauders in Hamilton on Friday night, capping off their two-game road trip through the Golden Horseshoe and looking to rebound from a Wednesday night loss to the Brock Badgers. The Lions were also aiming to secure another victory over McMaster after their 90-76 win over the Marauders on Halloween night.
The Marauders opened the scoring with a layup by James Kelly, but York responded quickly with a jump shot from Jeremiah Kwarteng. The intensity between the two teams increased early as fouls on both sides kept the scoring gap close. The quarter ended with LaDainian James converting one of two free throws, but the Lions still trailed by seven, 24–17, after one.
McMaster started the second quarter strong, as Riley Bleich knocked down a three-pointer to extend the Marauders' lead to ten. Nathan Carr scored York's first basket of the frame on a jumper. Later, a layup by Christopher Williams, a pair of free throws from Jackson Mackinnon-Metcalf, and a combination of layups and free throws from Carr, the Lions were able to close the gap to just two, after an 11-1 run made it 30-28 Marauders. However, a three-pointer by James Kelly shifted momentum back to McMaster, as they eventually took a 38-30 lead. The Marauders followed the Lions 11-1 run with an 18-4 spurt to lead 48-34, and took a 53-41 advantage into the locker room.
The Marauders opened the third quarter with a layup by Riaz Saliu, while York responded with a jump shot from Malakai Ayres-Olson. At this point, the Lions increased their defensive pressure and raised the tempo. Free throws by Carr and a dominant sequence by Kwarteng, which included a steal, layup, and two free throws, brought York within two points at 63–61. Carr then finished a layup to tie the game at 63–63, before a dunk by Kevin Okeke gave York its first lead of the game. To close the quarter, Ayres-Olson drained a three-pointer, allowing the Lions to finish the period ahead 68–63 and on a 12-0 run over the final 3:51 of the third
York continued their momentum into the final quarter, opening with a layup by Nickele Harris before extending their run from late in the third to 26-7 burst halfway through the fourth. With under five minutes remaining, Harris converted from the line to extend York's lead to 15 points at 87–72. After an impressive layup and dunk sequence from Williams, the Lions increased their advantage to 91–74, as York secured a 96–83 comeback victory over McMaster to sweep the season series.
LOOKING AHEAD:
The Lions will return home to face the Western Mustangs next Friday night at Tait McKenzie Centre in the Black History Month Game. Game time is 8:00 pm. You can get your tickets here or stream the game live on OUA TV.
