WATERLOO, Ont. - The Laurier Golden Hawks women's basketball team closed out the home portion of its schedule with an 82-70 victory over the York Lions on Feb. 14 at the WLU Athletic Complex, rallying from a 10-point first-quarter deficit on Senior Night.
York came out firing, shooting 55.6 per cent (10-for-18) from the field in the opening quarter, including 3-for-4 from three-point range, to take a 28-18 lead. Kiara Leveridge paced the Lions with 21 points and eight rebounds, while Gabriella Di Pietro added 14 points. York capitalized on early Laurier turnovers and built its largest lead of the night, 12 points, midway through the second quarter.
Laurier steadied itself in the second. Despite shooting just 30.4 per cent (7-for-23) in the frame, the Golden Hawks found rhythm from beyond the arc, going 4-for-9 from three-point range, and were efficient at the free-throw line (7-for-9). Kate White sparked the surge with a pair of late three-pointers as Laurier outscored York 25-12 in the quarter to take a 43-40 lead into halftime.
The Lions cooled significantly after their strong start, shooting 2-for-13 (15.4 per cent) in the second quarter and 3-for-20 (15.0 per cent) in the fourth. York finished the game at 31.3 per cent from the field and 22.7 per cent from long distance, while Laurier shot 40.0 per cent overall and 33.3 per cent from three.
The third quarter featured three ties and multiple lead changes. York briefly moved back in front behind transition play and free throws, but Laurier stayed within striking distance. Brittyn Graves continued to attack the rim, finishing 9-for-11 at the line, and Isabella Cotton orchestrated the offence with five assists. York held a narrow 57-55 edge after three quarters.
Laurier delivered its most complete stretch in the fourth, shooting 63.6 per cent (7-for-11) from the field and 12-for-14 from the free-throw line. Kayleigh Rawson opened the quarter with a three-pointer to give the Golden Hawks the lead for good. Laurier controlled the glass throughout the night, out-rebounding York 45-37, including an 11-rebound performance from Keira Aikman and a 10-rebound effort from White.
White led Laurier with 20 points, 10 rebounds and four three-pointers for a double-double. Graves added 17 points and seven rebounds, while Cotton was highly efficient with 16 points on 8-for-11 shooting. Rawson chipped in 12 points off the bench, helping Laurier's reserves outscore York's 20-16.
The Golden Hawks held advantages in points in the paint (34-28) and fast-break points (14-10), while both teams generated offence off turnovers (York 21, Laurier 19). Laurier's defensive pressure limited York to 15 fourth-quarter points and just one made three-pointer in the final frame.
The four seniors - White, Cotton, Graves and Martina Errazo - were honoured post-game, combining for 53 points in the win. Head coach Megan Reid praised the group's collective leadership.
"It's not one voice, it's all four voices," Reid said. "When you have glue, you have energy, you have accountability, that's leadership."
