Lancaster, Panthers catch fire from deep, crush Huskies 73-48

By Thomas Becker

Grace Lancaster was unstoppable. The veteran guard matched her career high with 27 points and led a three-point barrage as the UPEI Panthers dismantled the Saint Mary's Huskies 73–48 on Saturday afternoon to complete a dominant weekend sweep.

Lancaster's performance was nothing short of electric—10-of-16 shooting, five threes, and a calm command of the game that reflected a player fully embracing her starring role. UPEI improved to 2-2 on the season and looked every bit like a team on the rise. 

"It's been really fun stepping into a bigger role," Lancaster said, reflecting on her scorching start to the year—now averaging 21.3 points per game on 47.8 per cent shooting and an incredible 55.6 per cent from three. "Having great players around me over the years, like (Lauren) Rainford and Jenna Mae (Ellsworth), has really helped me learn and grow. I've always been more secondary to the offence, so it's been interesting taking on that responsibility."

Lancaster wasn't alone in her brilliance. Lily Vrugteman stuffed the stat sheet with 13 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Devon Lawlor was lethal from beyond the arc, hitting 4-of-8 threes for 12 points, while Samantha Zoffranieri gave UPEI a major boost off the bench with 11 points and six rebounds. 

Collectively, the Panthers were lights out, drilling 12-of-26 from deep (46 per cent) while holding the Huskies to just one made triple and 28.3 per cent shooting overall.

Saint Mary's (2-2) briefly held an 8-4 lead early, but that was the last time they were ahead. Vrugteman and Lancaster buried back-to-back threes to flip momentum, igniting a 20–4 UPEI run that gave them a 24–12 lead after the opening quarter. Lancaster had nine points in the frame, while Zoffranieri chipped in six. 

The second quarter was a long-range clinic. Lawlor hit two from distance, Zoffranieri added another, and Lancaster drilled back-to-back triples to push the lead to 41-17. She then closed the half on a personal 5-0 run, sending UPEI into the break up 50-23, a margin that never came under threat.

The Panthers attacked the rim to start the third, getting three straight layups from Lancaster, Ingrid Khuong, and Vrugteman to stretch the lead to 56–23. By the end of the frame, UPEI led 63–36, and the fourth quarter became a victory lap. 

Lancaster said the back-to-back wins were pivotal for their postseason positioning and belief in what's ahead.

"Even losing two games this weekend would have been detrimental in our chase for a bye," she said. "When we look ahead, our goal is always to win an AUS championship, and with this team, that's a very doable goal. I truly believe we can do it."

Photos by Janessa Vanden Broek