Women’s squad stays optimistic despite heavy losses

The Lions women’s basketball team fell in their season home opener to some of Canada’s top teams this past weekend. The Brock Badgers defeated their host team by a score of 68-52 on Friday, and the McMaster Marauders proved too much for the Lions the following night, taking them down by a score of 86-45.
“It’s been a challenging season for us thus far as we are still trying to claim our first win,” says guard Ishanaa Seupersadsingh, who is one of the Lions’ top performers. “In saying that, I’m very proud of my team’s effort as we do compete with top teams, and we’ve been in a few very close nail-biter games where we just couldn’t come out on top.”
In Friday’s game, the Badgers dominated at the Lions’ end of the court right off the bat, ending the first quarter with a 22-9 lead. The Lions fought back in the second quarter, outscoring their opponents 16-11 in a team effort that narrowed the Badgers’ lead to 33-25 at halftime. The Badgers, who are ranked the seventh best team in Canada, came out even stronger in the second half of the game, outscoring the Lions in both the third and fourth quarters to take away a 68-52 victory.
The Lions’ Seupersadsingh and Nina Guzina put up a strong effort to lead their team in the tough contest, together scoring 31 of 52 points. Seupersadsingh also contributed two rebounds and two assists to the game, and Guzina scored an efficient 5-of-9 off the floor.
Saturday’s game against the Marauders, who are fourth in the national rankings, turned out to be even more lopsided. The Marauders took a dominant 32-2 lead in the first quarter, and though the Lions fought hard to cut it down during the rest of the game, they failed to do so. Seupersadsingh once again led the effort, putting up a team high 11 points, four rebounds, and four steals. However, the Marauders took the victory with a score of 86-45, leaving the Lions with a 0-4 record so far in the regular season.
Nevertheless, the Lions are looking forward to improving their games and competing, if not always winning, in the rest of the season. However, to do that they will have to overcome the challenges of being a young and inexperienced team guided by a new head coach, as well as developing their offensive ability.
“The biggest challenge we face right now is staying consistent throughout the whole game,” says Seupersadsingh. “Defensively we’re pretty solid, it’s just offence that we need to work on in terms of making it flow more and converting shots.” Guzina feels the same way, adding that improvement in offensive play will be “all about the little things, and taking it one step at a time.”
Come what may, the team appreciates the undying support of the York community. “Every home game the stands are filled with fans cheering us on,” says Seupersadsingh, “it really helps motivate me and pump me up.”
“One of the best things about being a Lion is knowing you have that moral support from your Lion family and we couldn’t be more thankful when they come out,” emphasizes Guzina.
Moving forward, the players are looking to their next two games as an opportunity to end off the first part of their season on strong footing. “I’m very excited to get a win, as these are two teams that we are very capable of beating,” says Seupersadsingh, referring to the upcoming games against the Waterloo Warriors and Laurier Golden Hawks.
Come 2016, the Lions are eyeing the Ontario University Athletics post-season. “There are one or two pieces that have to come together and once that happens I’m very hopeful that we’ll be competing in the playoffs,” says Seupersadsingh.
“I am very optimistic for the rest of the season,” adds Guzina. “There’s still a lot of basketball to be played and I think that people will be surprised to see what we’re capable of!”
 
Hassam Munir
Sports and Health Editor