Axemen rally in fourth quarter to edge Panthers 74-72 in thrilling rematch

By Thomas Becker

The Acadia Axemen flipped the script in a thrilling rematch, clawing their way back from a fourth-quarter deficit to narrowly defeat the UPEI Panthers 74-72 Saturday night.

After surrendering the lead in Friday's game, Acadia (2-2) responded with a gritty performance, capped by Briawne Wilson's clutch defensive play and game-winning layup to steal a victory on the road.

Down one with 1:25 remaining, Wilson stepped up when it mattered most. Reading the play perfectly, he intercepted a pass, leading to a clear-path foul. At the charity stripe, he split a pair of free throws to tie the game at 72 before taking matters into his own hands on the next possession. The rookie guard drove baseline for a difficult reverse layup to give Acadia a two-point edge—the final lead change of the night. Wilson finished with nine points, three rebounds, two steals, and an assist.

The Panthers (2-2) had one last chance with 14 seconds left as they trapped Acadia's Glen Cox on the inbound. Sam Chisholm alertly picked off Cox's pass and raced up court, but his contested layup just missed as time expired.

Cox was a force for Acadia throughout, racking up a game-high 25 points, 11 rebounds, and two steals. His double-double was complemented by a strong supporting cast: Gabe Davignon scored 18 points and added two assists, two steals, and a block, while Ryan Regault was an offensive spark off the bench with 13 points, four assists, and three rebounds. 

Kamari Scott led UPEI with 14 points and seven rebounds despite battling early foul trouble after picking up two fouls in the game's first two minutes. Daniel Gonzalez Longarela was a powerhouse in the paint, tallying 12 points, 11 rebounds, and two blocks, and repeatedly challenged Acadia's defence with his powerful drives. Owen Smith and Chisholm also contributed significantly; Smith scored 12 points, while Chisholm finished with 10 points, nine rebounds, and three steals, playing a scrappy game that kept the Panthers in contention.

Sam Dyck got UPEI off to a strong start with a pair of early layups, including a steal that led to an uncontested bucket for a 6-4 lead. Acadia responded as Davignon's four-point play and an Erik Hayden fadeaway helped them build a 21-13 lead by the end of the first quarter.

Early in the second quarter, Kyree Thompson ignited the Panthers with a tough and-one, cutting the deficit to six. Thompson then took matters into his own hands, scoring five straight points to close the gap to 24-20. On the next play, he showcased his flair, dishing a behind-the-back, through-the-legs pass to Smith, who nailed a three-pointer to make it 27-23.

Then it was Gonzalez Longarela's turn as the big man consistently used his physicality to get deep in the paint for layups. He had eight points on four shot attempts in the quarter, as the Panthers went into halftime ahead 42-37.

The Panthers came out strong to start the third quarter, setting the tone with aggressive plays on both ends. After another basket from Gonzalez Longarela, Chisholm stole the inbound pass and finished a tough layup, pushing the lead to 48-42.

A few minutes later, Cox responded for Acadia, going to work in the paint with two straight baskets to cut the deficit to 56-54. But UPEI kept their foot on the gas, as Chisholm and Scott each drove in for layups in the final two minutes of the quarter, helping the Panthers close the third with a 61-55 lead.

Acadia turned the tide in the final quarter, opening with a 7-0 run behind Davignon's and-one play and a Cox layup that put them ahead. As both teams traded baskets in a tense back-and-forth finish, Wilson's critical steal and go-ahead layup sealed a nail-biter for the Axemen.

The Panthers will host the Saint Mary's Huskies for two games next weekend, while the Axemen travel to Saint John's, Newfoundland for two against the Memorial Sea-Hawks.

Photo Credit: Janessa Vanden Broek