Box Score Keyira Parkes drained 21 points in her first game back from injury, but the Varsity Blues women's basketball team fell 71-66 to the York Lions on Friday night (January 19) at Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport.

The Blues kept up with the surging Lions throughout the contest but struggled to contain fifth-year transfer Lindsay Shotbolt and Katrina Collins-Samuel down the stretch.

Toronto's defence held Shotbolt to shoot just 33.3% from the field, but it didn't stop her from registering a double-double of 20 points and 18 rebounds, plus four blocks. York's Collins-Samuel guard dropped game-high 21 points.

The Blues went on an 11-2 run early to gain a five-point lead, with Sarah Bennett being the catalyst. The three-year student came off a career-high 25 points at Nipissing last weekend. York slowly chipped into Toronto's quick start to cut the deficit to a single point at 20-19 after the first quarter.

The back-and-forth affair between the two rivals continued in the second quarter.  Parkes returned from a four-game absence in a big way. She dropped nine points in the opening half to keep the Blues within striking distance.

Even though the Lions grabbed 14 offensive rebounds in the first half, they were only able to mustard eight second chance points. York was up 34-33 at the half.

Still trailing late in the third quarter, the Blues youngsters regained the momentum for the home team. Nada Radonjic, Christine Jurcau and Josipa Curic each recorded a basket to inch closer. Parkes capped off the impressive run with back-to-back three's in the last 90 seconds to hand the Blues their first lead since the opening quarter. Toronto was up 54-52 heading into the fourth.

The lead for either team never exceed more than four points for majority of the final quarter. The difference marker was Collins-Samuel and Shotbolt getting into their rhythm. Shotbolt made a couple impressive moves in the post for baskets and the third-year guard added a pair of triples.  

Other than Parkes, Bennett was the lone Blue to hit the double-digit with 13 points. She also grabbed a team-high seven rebounds on the night.  

Toronto's record drops to 5-10 on the season, while York improves theirs to 8-8.

The Varsity Blues have a quick turnaround as they host the Queen's Gaels (12-3) in their annual Think Pink game tomorrow night (Jan. 20). Tipoff is set for 6:00 p.m., at Goldring Centre.

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