TORONTO, Ont. – Closing a game usually isn't an issue for the Guelph Gryphons women's basketball team. But the Gryphons had some trouble executing in a tight finish with the York Lions. A combination of miscues and a couple unlucky calls played a part as Guelph fell to the Lions 77-76 in Toronto Saturday night.
 
After trailing by as many as 10 points in the third quarter, Guelph rallied to take a series of small leads in the decisive fourth. A Nyasha Mombeshora free throw put Guelph up 76-75 with 53 seconds left on the clock but the visitors were called for a foul with 34 seconds remaining and York's Cyanna King knocked down both from the line.
 
The Gryphons turned the ball over on the subsequent possession and also picked up another foul, leaving themselves a slim chance on a desperation heave at the buzzer from Hanna Pryce. Guelph questioned a few calls late in the fourth quarter and were disappointed not to get a whistle when Ivana Vujadinovic was apparently hit in the stomach. She fouled out moments later.
 
Despite the narrow loss, there were some good performances as Burke Bechard led all players with 21 points and 7 steals, with a team-high 7 rebounds, while veteran guard Sarah Holmes added 20 points and 7 boards of her own.
 
Guelph was eager to rebound from a big loss to Queen's Friday night and the visitors looked on their way when they took the first quarter 19-13. The Lions chipped away and were at their best in putting up 26 third-quarter points to lead 61-55 heading into the fourth.
 
The Gryphons shot the ball fairly well, especially from long range where they hit 5 of 8. But Guelph was sloppy from the line, making just 21 of 36 attempts.

 
Gryphon Take
"It was a see-saw kind of game. We're usually poised in situations like that. I was disappointed to see four fouls called on us down the stretch that determined the outcome of the game. We also missed 15 foul shots and that's not typical of us. That's not a good thing if you want to win close games. It got down to it and we didn't execute when we had the lead. Instead of putting it away, we threw it away." – head coach Mark Walton

 
The Record
Guelph is 3-3.

 
Next up
Nipissing, Friday, Nov 16, 6 pm @ Guelph Gryphons Athletics Centre