The Windsor Lancers outlasted the York Lions 57-44 in a defensive struggle at the St. Denis Centre Friday night.
 
The blue and gold got out to a good start but learned early they couldn't lean on their three pointers, going 3-for-21 in the game, the Lancers locked in on defense and got it done, improving to 15-4 on the season.
 
GAME STATS
Three Lancers led the game in scoring, with Kayah Clarke, Kaylee Anagnostopoulos and Olivia Osamusali all dropping 15 points. The Lions were led by Lauren Golding and Megan Stewart who had each had 10 points.  
 
Anagnostopoulos and Osamusali double-doubled as well, paring their 10 points with 11 and 10 rebounds. Osamusali was also a monster at the rim tonight with three blocks on the night, leading all players.
 
GAME FLOW
The blue and gold got out to a hot start, pushing the ball into the post and seeing success. On the defensive end, Osamusali established herself early, contesting almost everything that came down low. The normally sure shooting Lancers struggled on the outside, keeping the game tight late into the first period, leading 16-11 after the first quarter. Both teams continued their defensive intensity into the second quarter; while the Lions were only shooting 16 per cent from the field, the blue and gold were yet to hit a three late into the second. With the Lancers clinging to a five point lead late in the half, third year forward Erin Kenny stepped up, nailing a corner three and then a buzzer beating two pointer in the same corner to give the Lancers a 25-15 halftime lead.
 
Though the defensive theme stuck through most of the third, the Lancers did themselves no favours, missing a few free throws and allowing the Lions to inch their way back into the game at 28-21. Clarke stemmed the run making two straight shots in the lane Windsor pushed their lead back to double digits momentarily. After three the Lancers lead just 39-32 in a defensive struggle. Early in the fourth, Anagnostopoulos provided an offensive boost despite playing with four fouls, keeping the Lancers just ahead 43-38, with 5:50 to play. In the last five minutes the blue and gold finished out the game on a 14-6 run capped by a Harriet Carey dagger three, sealing the 57-44 win.
 
QUOTE FROM THE COACH
"It was an ugly game, I think both coaches would agree," lamented head coach Chantal Vallée post game. "It was a gritty game, we had to lock in on defense and we did so it's a good sign of mental strength."
 
UP NEXT
The Lancers host the Lakehead Thunderwolves on Saturday, February 8th as part of their breast cancer awareness game. Commemorative t-shirts will be available for $12, and all proceeds from the event will be donated to breast cancer research. Tickets can be purchased in advance at www.goLancers.ca/tickets. Following the game, the Lancers will also honour graduating senior Kaylee Anagnostopoulos.