The York University Lions women's basketball team continued its strong start to the 2026–27 season with a road win over the Windsor Lancers on Friday night in the Border City. York hadn't won the first two games of a season since 2005-06, but after opening the season with two convincing victories at home, the Lions faced their first road test of the year, looking to win a third straight game to open the season for the first time since that 2005-06 campaign, against a Windsor team that had also started its season with a win.
York entered the matchup following a successful opening weekend at the Tait McKenzie Centre, where the Lions defeated the Toronto Varsity Blues 74–53 before taking down the Nipissing Lakers 67–40. The two victories put York at 2–0 heading into this Southwestern Ontario road swing, which will take them to London on Saturday night.
The Lions got off to a productive start against Windsor, taking a 16–11 lead after the opening quarter. Gabby Di Pietro opened the scoring for York with a layup assisted by Chantelle Stuart, while Ella Okubasu added a three-pointer off a Di Pietro helper. Stuart also contributed with a jump shot, and Niamh Heath added a basket late in the quarter. Okubasu helped close out the frame at the free-throw line before Sev Grewal finished a late York possession with a layup, giving York a five-point lead after one.
York continued to build its advantage in the second quarter. Katie Leudy opened the scoring with a three-pointer assisted by Stuart, while Okubasu nailed a jump shot to keep the Lions ahead. Akuach Buang then made an impact off the bench, scoring consecutive layups after York forced turnovers and generated opportunities in transition. A Stuart jumper made it 28-20 York, and Di Pietro connected from beyond the arc in the final minute to put her team up 35-27. A lay-up at the buzzer from the Lancers cut the lead to six, with York owning a 35–29 lead at halftime.
Windsor started the half on a quick 6-0 run to tie the game at 35. Heath responded with a jump shot, while Stuart converted two free throws to help York regain some separation. Buang added another layup before Stuart took over from long range, knocking down back-to-back three-pointers to cap off a 12-0 York run and put the Lions up 47–35. York continued to find scoring opportunities through Leudy, Marley Hayle and Okubasu, who added a three-pointer of her own with less than a minute remaining in the quarter. The Lions entered the final frame ahead 56–47.
York maintained its advantage in the fourth quarter, with Buang opening the scoring with a jump shot before Okubasu added a basket and converted the ensuing free throw for an old-fashioned three-point play. Di Pietro then connected from three-point range off a Stuart assist to put the Lions ahead 64–51.
Windsor attempted to close the gap, but Di Pietro added a layup following an offensive rebound to keep York in control. Leudy contributed at the free-throw line, while Stuart and Okubasu helped create additional opportunities through defensive pressure. Stuart recorded a steal before assisting on an Okubasu basket, and Okubasu later connected with Heath for another Lion layup. Stuart also added a free throw late in the game as the Lions picked up a well-earned 74-61 victory to move to 3-0 on the young season.
Okubasu led York with 20 points, nine rebounds, four assists and three steals. Stuart finished with 17 points, five assists and five steals, while Di Pietro contributed 13 points, including three three-pointers. Leudy and Buang each added eight points, with Buang shooting four-for-seven from the field.
York finished the game shooting 29-for-70 (41%) from the field and went 8-for-31 (26%) from three-point range. The Lions also recorded 16 assists on those 29 field goals, while putting up 10 steals and forcing 12 Windsor turnovers, using their defensive pressure to create opportunities throughout the night.
LOOKING AHEAD:
York will travel to London to face the Western Mustangs on Saturday night with tip-off scheduled for 6:00 p.m. The matchup gives the Lions an opportunity to continue their undefeated start and potentially move to 4–0. Western also opened its season with a convincing victory, defeating the Guelph Gryphons 82–50, setting up another early-season test for York. The game will be available live and on demand on OUA TV.
