Bowering scores 20 in record-setting night, as Panthers move into tie for first

By Thomas Becker

Sunday night belonged to Alicia Bowering.

The sophomore sharpshooter connected on 5-of-7 three-pointers—the first of which was a UPEI record 45th of the season—and finished with 20 points to help the UPEI Panthers take down the Saint Mary's Huskies 73-68. 

"I didn't even know I was close to the record," Bowering said. "I'm honoured to have that record, but I'm always trying to evolve my game to be more than just shooter."

Aiden Rainford had a team-high 21 points and 12 rebounds, while Lauren Rainford and Sydney Cummins reached double figures with 15 and 12 points, respectively. 

Saint Mary's Sophia Widmeyer finished with a team-high 24 points, while all-star Alaina McMillan was limited to 15 points and six assists on 5-of-14 shooting.

For the Panthers (11-5), it may have been the most important win of the season, as they're now tied for first place and own the tiebreak over the third-place Huskies (11-5). 

"An eight-point weekend is massive this season in the AUS," said Panthers head coach Matt Gamblin. "But more than anything, it was a character win and we needed one of those."

Bowering echoed her coach's sentiments.

"This game was so big for us because we're trying to get better each day and build momentum heading into the playoffs."

The two teams traded baskets in the game's opening minutes before Bowering broke the UPEI record for threes made in a season to give the Panthers a 13-10 lead. That sparked the team, as they went on a 9-2 run afterwards to make it 22-12. 

Bowering connected on three three-pointers in the quarter and led all scorers with 11 points. After 10 minutes of action, the Panthers doubled their opponent 24-12.

UPEI continued to shoot the ball with confidence and started the second quarter on a 10-3 run to extend the lead to 34-15, forcing the Huskies to call a timeout.

Thanks to some timely defence and a willingness to take the ball to the rim, Saint Mary's was able to trim the deficit to 14 behind a 10-5 run. They also held UPEI scoreless in the final 3:31 to get within nine at the half, 39-30. 

Bowering led the way with 14 points on 4-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc, while Widmeyer paced the Huskies with 10.

The Panthers came out of the break strong and extended the lead to 48-33 with a 9-3 run that was capped off with a powerful post move by Aiden. 

However, much like they did in the second quarter, the Huskies whittled into the lead. They outscored UPEI 8-0 in the final 2:38 and trailed by just nine, 54-45, going into the fourth.

Saint Mary's continued their strong play and got within two after Lucina Beaumont converted an and-one midway through the quarter.

Moments later, Widmeyer had a chance to make it a one-point game after she was fouled attempting a three. But with a boisterous crowd distracting her, the rookie guard made just one. On the ensuing possession, the Panthers made the Huskies pay, as Bowering iced the game with her fifth triple to secure the 73-68 win.

Next up for the Panthers is a weekend double-header against the Capers, while the Huskies take on the Dalhousie Tigers Wednesday night.

Photo Credit: Janessa Hogan