WBB | Laurentian Suffers Home Playoff Defeat to York
For the first time in almost 20 years, the Laurentian women's basketball team hosted a playoff game. A 13–9 regular-season record earned the Voyageurs the eighth seed in the Critelli Cup and the opportunity to host the ninth-seeded York Lions (11–11). The two sides met once during the regular season — a 15-point victory for Laurentian at Ben Avery Gym. This time, York got their revenge, winning 66–55 to advance.
The Lions set the tone early with a 5–0 run. Nearly four minutes in, Laurentian got on the board with a pair of free throws from Cadence Pecore. She followed moments later with a three-pointer to tie the game at five. Offence was difficult to generate on both sides in a physical, high-intensity opening quarter. York held a slim 10–9 lead in the final seconds before a costly Vees turnover led to an Alexis Grewal three as time expired, extending the Lions' advantage to four.
The scoring picked up in the second quarter, beginning with another Grewal triple. Pecore answered with one of her own, but York gradually built separation, stretching its lead to 17 with three minutes left in the half. Laurentian responded with a 9–1 run to close the quarter, cutting the deficit to single digits at halftime.
Determined to claw back, the blue and gold chipped away in the third. The Vees pulled within five midway through the frame but missed five consecutive field-goal attempts, stalling their momentum. Despite the offensive struggles, Laurentian's defence held firm, and a few timely free throws kept the game within seven points entering the fourth quarter.
The comeback effort continued. An Emilie Lafond layup brought the Vees within five at the seven-minute mark, and a Claudia Pellerin basket cut the margin to four two minutes later. Alexia Schryburt knocked down a pair of free throws with 4:25 to play to make it a two-point game. However, York's Katy Leudy answered with a layup on the ensuing possession. Pellerin responded again to bring Laurentian within two, but those would be the final points of the night for the hosts as York closed the game at the line to secure the win.
Lafond delivered one final standout performance in her last game in blue and gold, finishing with 20 points and 10 rebounds. However, York's edge on the glass proved decisive, as the Lions outrebounded Laurentian by 16 and committed five fewer turnovers.
- Olly Sankar
York advances to face the top-seeded Queen's Gaels, while Laurentian heads into the offseason following a successful season filled with memorable moments.