BLUES ELIMINATE LIONS WITH FIRST-ROUND WIN

The York University Lions women's basketball team was eliminated from the playoffs with a 64-37 loss to the host Toronto Varsity Blues in their OUA East quarter-final game at the Athletic Centre Sports Gym on Wednesday (Feb. 22).

It was a tale of two quarters in the first half. The Lions built a 16-6 lead after the first 10 minutes of action thanks to a combined 10 points from fifth-year guard Brittany Szockyj (Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont.) and rookie Hayley Finn (London, Ont.); however, Toronto responded with an 11-0 shutout in the second to gain a narrow 17-16 advantage at halftime.

The Blues found their game in the third, outscoring the Lions 21-8 to take a commanding 41-24 lead into the final frame. They kept their foot on the pedal in the fourth, knocking down 23 points compared to just 13 for the Lions, to advance.

Szockyj ended her career with eight points, two rebounds and one assist in her final game with the Lions.

The Lions' top scorer on the night was Finn, who had nine points and eight rebounds. Fellow rookie Samantha Ernest (Oakville, Ont.) finished with five points and a team-high 11 rebounds.

Blues fifth-year forward Megan Stoncius (Mississauga, Ont.) was named the player of the game after tallying a double-double of 13 points and a career-high 15 boards. Sophomore forward Julie Longauer (Whitby, Ont.) recorded a game-high 15 points, while veteran guard Joanna Medri (Toronto) added 12 points off of four three-pointers in the win.

The loss spelled the end of the Lions' season, while the Varsity Blues have advanced to the OUA quarter-finals and will face-off against the second-seeded Carleton Ravens in Ottawa on Saturday (Feb. 25).

With files from Toronto sport information