By Steve Petrick
After jumping ahead early in the second half, the Ryerson women’s basketball team just ran out of fuel in a double-overtime loss to the York Yeowomen Friday night.
York gassed Ryerson twice in preseason play and spoiled the Rams’ home opener as well as Ryerson’s flawless 2-0 OUA league record in a marathon 68-62 win.
Unlike the first two times these teams met last month, the Rams were not content to let their uptown rivals walk all over them.
Instead, York had to earn the victory with some buzzer-beating heroics in the first overtime and clutch free throw shooting in the second.
The loss might take an emotional toll on Ryerson. While the score was always close Ryerson led for the most of regulation and were up by as much as seven early in the second half. And the blown lead made rookie guard Treisha Hylton furious.
“We broke down mentally — that’s it. We should have won the game in the first half,” she screamed while facing a blank wall in the locker area outside the gym.
With her team up 57-55, with five seconds to go in the first extra-set, six-foot-three Ryerson sophomore post Mandi-May Bond missed two free throws that would have sealed the victory.
York dominated in overtime, shooting six for six at the line and winning by six points.
Bond, who finished with 18 rebounds and 12 points, said the loss was heartbreaking for her.
“This week I came in and did extra time to work on fouls shots — and for what?” she asked herself.
This Friday night, Ryerson hosts the Bishop Gaiters and the Laval Rouge et Or. Come to Kerr gym Saturday at 6 p.m.
Leave a Reply