Kingston, Ont. (January 9, 2009) – A late drive by the Gaels fell inches short as the York Lions defeated Queen's 55-52 on Friday in Ontario University Athletics (OUA) women's basketball.

The Gaels who trailed by seven with just under two minutes to play rallied to pull within three-points with less than 10 seconds on the clock. First-year forward Kendra Walker-Roche of Brockville, Ont., was given the last second attempt to tie the game, but the ball rattled off the rim ending the chance of a comeback.

Walker Roche was the Gaels leading scorer posting 15 points while Erin Skippon of Kelowna, B.C. pulled in a double-double (11 points and 13 rebounds).

Brittany Moore of Hannon, Ont., who was coming off a career-high 40 point game on Wednesday, scored just 13 points in the loss. York double teamed the second-year Physical Education major and she only managed a single basket before the half.

York's Laura MacCullum of Paris, Ont. was the Lions leading scorer finishing with a game-high 21 points.

The Lions started the game scoring the first seven points of the game before allowing a Gaels basket. After that run, Queen's was able to move the score to 7-6, but both teams struggled to find the net in the first quarter. In the second, Queen's registered a 12-0 run to the second quarter taking the lead into the half 19-17.

York would improve their defensive play in the third holding the Gaels to just six points in the third and post a ten point lead heading into the final frame. The fourth saw the Gaels rally but fell short on Walker-Roche's missed three-point attempt.

The Gaels record falls to 4-7, but is just four-points behind first place. Four teams occupy the top position in the OUA East including Carleton, Ottawa, Laurentian, and Toronto. Queen's will contend against Laurentian on Saturday night inside Bartlett Gymnasium at 6:00pm. Tickets are available at the door.