North Bay, ON – The Nipissing University Women's Basketball team lost a close contest Friday, November 21 at RJS Athletics Centre to the York Lions, 70-64.
The Lakers opened the game with a 7-0 run that eventually turned into an 11-6 lead. York tied the game at 13. From there, the teams traded shots before Nipissing's Nicole Budd gave the Lakers a 17-16 lead, which is where the first quarter would end.
York rallied early in the quarter, and took a 21-19 lead. Sophie Milner cut into the lead with a layup at 4:05. Taryn Gauthier scored a layup at 1:26, and was fouled. She made her free throw, giving the Lakers a 3 point lead. York would add 1 more layup, and 28-27 is where things would stand after 20 minutes of play.
York nailed a 3-point shot to begin the second half, taking the lead almost immediately after the 3rd quarter began. Nipissing rallied, and regained the lead from 2 Taryn Gauthier free throws. York answered with another 3-pointer, and added another to take a 4-point lead. Sydney Lake answered with a 3 of her own at 4:07 in the third. Nipissing would continue the momentum, cutting the lead to just 2 points with under a minute remaining. York would take a 46-44 lead into the fourth quarter.
The fourth quarter was a close contest. The score was tied 50-50 at 6:18 before York scored a layup to lead by 2. Nipissing would tie the game again before York would regain their lead. This pattern would continue for much of the remainder of the game. Nipissing was within striking distance after a Sophie Milner 3-pointer brought the Lakers within 3 points. York then responded with their own 3-pointer to lead by 6 again. They would maintain this deficit into their 5th win of the season, taking it 70-64.
Sophie Milner lead Nipissing with 17 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists. Nicole Budd had another strong night, dropping 16 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, and an impressive 5 steals. Taryn Gauthier scored 8 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists. Sydney Lake scored 9 points off the bench, and added 5 rebounds and 1 steal.
The loss moves the Lakers to 3-7 on the season. The Lakers are back in action Friday, November 28 in Toronto for a matchup with the Varsity Blues. Tip-off is 6Pm live on OUA.tv.
#GoLakers
