BELLEVILLE, Ont. – The Durham College women's basketball team won home court for their qualifying game with a 62–60 victory over the Loyalist Lancers on Tuesday night in Belleville.
 
With the two teams tied heading into the game, the winner earned the right to host their qualifying match against the St. Clair Saints, while the loser would travel to London to face the Fanshawe Falcons.
 
Durham held the lead from the beginning, leading 15-7 after the opening quarter. Loyalist did push back in the second to trail by only two, 21-19, at halftime.
 
The Lords opened up their lead again in the third as they took a 12-point lead into the final 10 minutes. Although Durham carried momentum into the fourth, with a packed house for graduating seniors night, Loyalist leaned on their fan support to close the gap and with just under 10 seconds remaining hit a three to put the game within two points.
 
On the inbound a jump ball was called with the arrow pointing in the Lancers favour. Fortunately for Durham they were unable to get a final shot off with their final possession as the Lords earned home court for their qualifying game on Saturday.
 
Lindsay Panchan (Ajax, Ont.) had her fifth game of the season with 30-plus points as she finished the night with 32 points and 13 rebounds. Panchan's double-double was also her 10^th in 14 conference games this year.
 
Maddie Dender (Ajax, Ont.) was the only other Lord to be in double-digit scoring on the night with 10 points, while Courtney Harley (Cambridge, Ont.) was two points from a double-double with eight points and 10 rebounds.
 
Loyalist was led by Jenni Thompson's double-double of 27 points and 10 boards. No other Lancer was in double-digit scoring.
 
Durham's win puts them fourth in the OCAA east division. They will now host the St. Clair Saints on Saturday, Feb. 27 at 6 p.m. in a championship qualifying game. The winner will advance to the OCAA championship being hosted by the Niagara Knights.
 
Last season the two teams met in Windsor, with the Saints taking the qualifier 73-60. Two years ago Durham qualified for the OCAA championship in Hamilton by finishing second in the east division.
 
 
QUICK LOOK AT THE LORDS
Overall Record: 11-13
Conference Record: 8-6
 
Next Game: Saturday, Feb. 27 vs. St. Clair Saints (6 PM)