Varsity Reds defeat Panthers to open AUS playoffs

By Thomas Becker
Photo credit to Nick Pearce

UNB's powerful interior game paid off, as the Varsity Reds advanced to the AUS semifinals with a 76-65 win over the UPEI Panthers.

The Reds punished the Panthers in the paint for 32 points, while outrebounding them 58-29 at the Scotiabank Centre Friday afternoon.

"We did dominate the paint and we should have, they don't have a lot of size," said Reds head coach Jeff Speedy. "But I honestly thought we could've done more, I didn't think we handled the double teams very well."

For the Panthers, the loss puts an end to the playing careers of veterans Katelynn Donahoe, Anne Kiberd and Tamara Tompkins, who each scored in double figures.

"I'm proud of our players and I think they gave it their all," said Panthers head coach Greg Gould. "I had no doubts all season long that we would play hard right until the final buzzer."

It was a back and forth affair to open the first game of the AUS Championships, as both teams traded baskets. But a Donahoe three-point play started a run of eight unanswered points, giving the Panthers an early 12-6 lead.

After a slow start, UNB settled down and fired back at UPEI, ending the quarter on a 12-0 run to take the opening frame 18-12.

Laura Kaye led the way with five points for UNB, while Kiera Rigby poured in five for the Panthers.

UPEI came out strong in the second quarter and used an 11-5 run to tie the game at 23 apiece. With a strong drive to the basket, Donahoe connected on another three-point play to push her team ahead 26-23.

But UNB's Grace Wade settled the team down and was the catalyst in an 11-6 run, giving the Reds a slim 34-32 lead at halftime. Wade led all scorers with 11 points (on 4-of-8 shooting) at the break.

After trading baskets for most of the third quarter, the Reds strong play on the defensive end helped extend their lead 48-41.

The Panthers lack of an inside presence was evident as UNB continued to find success feeding the post, pushing their lead to 54-46 after three.

"We only played them twice before but I think that's the best I've ever seen them play," said Gould.

Down by as many as 17 in the fourth, a determined Panthers squad cut the deficit to as few as seven, but it was too late as the Reds pulled away with the 76-65 win.

"Too many times we let them play to their strength and that's why the game stayed relatively close," said Speedy.

UNB's Wade and Rachel Clearly were the high-point women with 15 points apiece, while Kiley DeLong, Caroline Healy and Kaye finished with 12, 10 and 10, respectively.

With the win, the Reds now turn their attention to Saturday's semifinal matchup against the 19-1 Saint Mary's Huskies.