OSHAWA, Ont. - In an evenly-matched game, the Durham College women's basketball team was unable to open their preseason with a victory as the John Abbott Islanders ruined the Lords' tournament opener.

It looked like it would be a Big 8 Classic semifinal rematch from 2015 for Durham, but the Islanders huge fourth quarter propelled them to a 69-67 victory.

Leading 63-52 heading into the final quarter, Durham didn't lead by more than 10 after trading baskets with John Abbott to open the fourth.

The Islanders went on a 13-0 run to lead 67-64 with just over a minute to go. Durham closed the gap to won, but after making a pair of late foul shots the Islanders earned their two-point victory.

Lindsay Panchan (Ajax, Ont.) led the Lords with 28 points and eight rebounds, while Kayla Marshall (Ottawa, Ont.) added 12.

John Abbott looked to Darnelle Noel and Andrea Batrila's 16 and 14 points respectively to lead their offence. In the fourth quarter no player scored more than three points as they had seven players contribute to their 17 fourth-quarter points.

To open the day the Loyalist Lancers squeaked out a 71-70 victory over the Niagara Knights.

After leading 23-20 after the opening quarter, the Lancers trailed 34-33 at halftime.

Niagara had a good start to the third, but a 13-0 run by Loyalist gave them a four-point advantage heading into the final 10 minutes. The Knights were the stronger team for much of the quarter as they led 68-63 late in the game, but a late push by Loyalist saw them go on a six-point run to earn the 71-70 win.

It was Porscha Hewitt and Kylea Galipeau-Wilson that led the way for Loyalist with 20 points apiece. Galipeau-Wilson also led the team with nine rebounds. For Niagara their offence was led by Courtney McPherson's 20 points and six rebounds.

Champlain College-Lennoxville (RSEQ) defeated St. Lawrence-Kingston 57-48 in the second game of the day.

The Lennoxville Cougars never trailed in the game as they led 14-5 after a quarter and 29-22 at halftime.

Maria Rodriguez led the Cougars with 17 points, followed by Emma Huff with 16. St. Lawrence's offence was spread evenly with Tiffany McNeil, Tyler Simon and Shian Noble scoring 11, 11 and 10 points respectively.

In the final game before Durham capped off the day, the defending Big 8 Classic champion Fanshawe Falcons dominated George Brown 93-61.

Laura Vere and Natalie Warren led the Falcons offence with 18 points apiece, with Mikhaila Wright adding 10. Tianna Sullivan paced the Huskies scoring with 15 points.

The Big 8 Classic continues on Saturday with Niagara and St. Lawrence facing each other at 9 a.m. in the consolation semifinal.

DAY 1 RESULTS
Friday, September 30
Game One: Loyalist Lancers def. Niagara Knights 71-70
Game Two: Champlain-Lennoxville def. SLC-Kingston 57-48
Game Three: Fanshawe Falcons def. George Brown Huskies 93-61
Game Four: John Abbott Islanders def. Durham Lords 69-67

DAY 2
Saturday, October 1
Consolation Semi-Final #1 - Niagara Knights vs. SLC-Kingston (9 a.m.)
Consolation Semi-Final #2 - George Brown Huskies vs. Durham Lords (11 a.m.)
Semi-Final #1 - Loyalist Lancers vs. Champlain-Lennoxville (1 p.m.)
Semi-Final #2 - Fanshawe Falcons vs. John Abbott Islanders (3 p.m.)
Consolation Final (5 p.m.)
Championship Final (7 p.m.)

Source: Durham College

Photo Credit: Liam Currie