Panthers smother Acadia, punch ticket to AUS Championship

By Thomas Becker

The UPEI Panthers put on a defensive masterclass, overwhelming the Acadia Axewomen 76-50 to secure a spot in Sunday afternoon's championship game.

Their tenacious defence disrupted everything the Axewomen attempted, particularly neutralizing the impact of all-stars Samantha Russell and Bianca Helmig. The dynamic duo, who averaged a combined 35.1 points per game during the regular season, was held to just 25, while the Axewomen struggled as a team, shooting a dismal 34.7 percent from the field. 

Meanwhile, the Panthers were firing on all cylinders offensively, executing with precision as they shot an impressive 50.8 per cent from the field. All-star Devon Lawlor led the charge with a game-high 17 points on 6-of-10 shooting, proving once again that she shines brightest on the big stage. Grace Lancaster contributed 14 points, while Lauren Rainford added 12. Deborah Aboagye was a key spark off the bench, chipping in 10 points.

"Our defensive intensity is a big part of our identity," Lawlor said. "In the past, we've struggled to sustain that intensity for a full game, but tonight, we brought it from the opening tip to the final buzzer."

The Panthers set the tone early, jumping out to a quick 5-0 lead before Acadia responded with six straight points to briefly pull ahead. Both teams exchanged baskets before UPEI surged ahead with a dominant 14-5 run to close the first quarter, punctuated by a Lancaster three-pointer that stretched the advantage to 23-14. 

UPEI's defence reached another level in the second quarter, suffocating Acadia's offence and allowing just nine points on three made field goals. Lawlor continued to steer the attack, drilling a crucial three-pointer to extend the lead to 28-16 with 7:34 remaining in the half. Samantha Zoffranieri and Lily Vrugteman then made their presence felt, each converting inside to push the advantage even further. By halftime, the Panthers were firmly in control, leading 38-23.

Although Acadia found more offensive success in the third quarter, UPEI answered each of their baskets with points of their own as they maintained a comfortable lead at 51-35 heading into the final frame.

The depth of the Panthers took centre stage in the fourth quarter, with eight different players finding the scoresheet. This balanced attack not only sealed the dominant victory but also afforded UPEI's starters much-needed rest in preparation for their championship clash with the Saint Mary's Huskies, set for Sunday at 1 p.m.

For Rainford, Sunday's championship will be her final Atlantic University Sport (AUS) game, and she's determined to finish her career with a trophy in hand.

"They (Saint Mary's) got the better of us this season, but tomorrow's a new day," Rainford said. "This is the last game for me and a few others, and I truly believe we have what it takes to win. If we play the way we did today, we can beat them."