The York Lions men’s basketball team upset the number-three ranked team in the country Monday, beating the Waterloo Warriors 74-70 in front of a home crowd at the Tait McKenzie Centre.
Looking to bounce back after a loss to Laurier last week, the Lions came out jumping with a 9-2 run against the west division’s top team and led 37-29 at half time.
Waterloo began to press in the second half and gained a lead before a see-saw battle that lasted until the final minute of the game. With 49 seconds left to play and the Lions ahead 72-70, York’s Dan Eves, who finished with 22 points, was fouled and converted both free throws to ice the win.
First-year guard Tut Ruach, right,and centre Jordan Foebel, far right,recorded double-doubles in the win. Ruach scored 19 points and dished 11 assists, while Foebel contributed 13 points and 13 rebounds.
The York University women’s basketball squad edged out Waterloo, 56-54, in another close contest at the Tait McKenzie Centre on Monday night.
The women’s Lions opened the game with a 14-6 run led by hot-shooting Laura MacCallum, right, and Kim Gibbs, far right. MacCallum shot a perfect 4-for-4 from behind the three-point line for 12 points in the first half. York led 34-28 at the break.
The Lions front court struggled with Waterloo’s size advantage and the Warriors were able to keep the game close. With less than two minutes remaining, York’s defence forced Waterloo to commit a costly backcourt violation that led to Kim Gibbs’ three-pointer and a 52-49 lead. The Lions held on to win their seventh game of the season and break a two-game losing skid.
MacCallum recorded 15 points, six rebounds and five assists for the Lions, while Gibbs added 17 points and eight rebounds.
The next action for York comes on the road when both teams travel to Lakehead on Friday and McMaster on Saturday. For more information, visit the Sport and Recreation Web site.