Thompson dazzles as Panthers complete weekend sweep

By Thomas Becker

Kyree Thompson put on a show Saturday night, torching the Memorial Sea-Hawks for a career-high 29 points as the UPEI Panthers cruised to an 80-57 win and a weekend sweep.

The third-year guard was electric, shooting 9-of-15 from the field and 4-of-8 from deep, setting the tone for a dominant Panthers performance. 

Thompson has fully embraced his expanded role since the start of the new year. Since being inserted into the starting lineup, he's led the team in scoring, averaging 17.2 points per game on an efficient 44.1 percent shooting, including a scorching 48.7 percent from beyond the arc.

"My teammates trust me with the ball and more responsibility, and I'm just trying to make the most of it," Thompson said. "For me, it's about believing in the work I put in over the summer and letting that confidence carry into every game."

The win was significant, as the Panthers now have a golden opportunity to compete for a quarter-final bye against the Cape Breton Capers next Saturday. A victory by three points or more will lock up the bye, giving them a crucial advantage heading into the postseason.

"All year, the goal has been to get that bye," Thompson said. "We knew these last three games at home, in front of our fans, would be crucial, and we've taken care of business so far. Now, we just have to finish the job and do what we set out to do." 

The Panthers set the tone early and never looked back, controlling the game on both ends. Kamari Scott added 15 points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals, while Sam Chisholm contributed 11 points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals, providing a well-rounded effort. 

Flynn Boardman-Raffet led the way with 13 points for Memorial, while Norm Burry and Ivan Tsafack chipped in 10 apiece. However, the Sea-Hawks struggled to find much offensive rhythm, shooting just 27.8 percent from the field in the first quarter and failing to recover. 

UPEI wasted no time asserting themselves, opening the game on an 11-2 run, capped off by a Thompson three-pointer and a Chisholm layup. A tough fadeaway jumper from Chisholm extended the lead to 10, making it 19-9. The duo combined for 18 points in the first quarter, scoring nine each, as UPEI built a commanding 26-12 advantage after one. 

The Panthers continued to pour it on in the second quarter, with Terrance Booker knocking down a three to open the frame, followed by a corner triple from Thompson that stretched the lead to 20 at 32-12. Memorial briefly found some life with back-to-back threes from Boardman-Raffet and Burry to trim the deficit to 34-18, but UPEI quickly responded. A 10-4 run, punctuated by five straight points from Thompson, doubled up Memorial at 44-22. Thompson finished the half with 19 points as UPEI went into the break with a comfortable 49-33 lead. 

The teams traded baskets early in the third quarter before Daniel Gonzalez Longarela flexed his strength inside, muscling his way to two tough layups that extended the lead back to 20 at 57-37. Thompson remained locked in, draining a wide-open three to push the score to 62-40, followed by another deep shot under two minutes later to make it 67-43. UPEI maintained control, heading into the final frame up 67-47.

Both teams slowed down offensively in the fourth quarter, with UPEI maintaining a steady lead and coasting to the 80-57 victory. The Panthers' suffocating defence and balanced scoring proved too much for Memorial to handle, sealing a crucial win as the push for the bye continues.

Photo Credit: Janessa Vanden Broek