Matt Dionne | Editor-in-Chief
Featured image: York drops their playoff game against cross-town rival Ryerson. | Courtesy of York Lions
The Lions women’s basketball team took on their cross-town rivals, the Ryerson Rams, in the first round of the Critelli Cup playoffs last Wednesday.
The Lions got off to a good start, closing the quarter on a 12-2 run, taking a six-point lead with them into the second quarter.
Unfortunately, the Lions were unable to get stops on the defensive end, as they allowed the Rams to score 21 in the quarter while only scoring 13 themselves.
The Lions’ defensive woes continued in the third, as they allowed the Rams to score another 19, while they only managed 14 on the offensive end.
Trailing by seven going into the final quarter, the Lions needed to get some stops and convert on the offensive end.
York opened the quarter on an 8-3 run, cutting the lead to just two points. However, Ryerson responded with a 7-0 run of their own, extending their lead to nine.
With under two minutes left in the game, Katrina Collins-Samuels hit back-to-back threes to cut the Rams’ lead to just three points.
However, a pair of missed jumpers, followed by a turnover by the Lions, allowed the Rams to put the game out of reach with a dagger layup, as they ended York’s season with the 66-61 victory.
York was led by Megan MacLeod, who recorded 13 points, three boards, an assist, and a block.
Despite the loss, the Lions had a great season—particularly Lindsay Shotbolt, who made a strong case for Player of the Year, which Ryerson’s head coach Carly Clarke acknowledged after the game: “They added an MVP-candidate in Lindsay Shotbolt. I think she has been one of, if not the best, players in the conference all season.”
The Lions will have to find a player to fill Shotbolt’s shoes next year, as this was her final year of eligibility.
However, with 12 of the 13 players on the team returning, the Lions will have a great chance to improve on this season’s success.
