Panthers surge past Sea-Hawks, climb into second

By Thomas Becker

UPEI tightened its grip on the AUS standings Friday night, rolling to an 81-57 win over the Memorial Sea-Hawks—a victory built on one explosive stretch late in the second quarter.

For most of the opening half, the game sat on a knife's edge. Every UPEI push was met with an answer, and with just over three minutes left before halftime, the Panthers suddenly trailed 31-30 and were still searching for a spark. 

Then the momentum flipped in an instant. 

A rhythm three from Devon Lawlor kick-started the run. Sydney Lawlor added to it at the stripe, Ingrid Khuong sliced through the lane for another finish, and Grace Lancaster capped the surge with a late first-half layup. In barely two minutes, UPEI rattled off an 11-0 burst that turned a one-point deficit into a 41-31 lead, and completely changed the pulse of the night. 

The Panthers carried that jolt straight into the third quarter. Lancaster scored on the opening possession, and from there UPEI played some of its most connected basketball of the season. Khuong carved up the Sea-Hawks (3-6) inside, Ella Simmons punished them in transition, and Lily Vrugteman's defensive pressure generated turnover after turnover. The lead ballooned as the Panthers poured in 28 points on blistering efficiency, stretching the margin to 69-44 heading into the fourth.

Memorial still had standout efforts in defeat. Brooke Ledevehat battled all game long, finishing with 17 points and six rebounds, while forward Amelia Mitchell worked relentlessly in the paint, adding 15 points and seven boards to keep the Sea-Hawks competitive.

But UPEI's depth and tempo were too much to match down the stretch.

Devon Lawlor led all scorers with 19 points, knocking down four threes and providing a reliable scoring punch whenever the Panthers needed it. Khuong delivered a dominant two-way performance with 15 points, 10 rebounds, and five steals, while Lancaster (12 points, four assists) and Simmons (11 points) rounded out a starting unit that set the tone early and often. Off the bench, Sydney Lawlor, Regan Cornford, and Karla Benitez supplied valuable minutes and helped sustain UPEI's pressure.

The victory doesn't just push UPEI to 7-3, it vaults the Panthers into second place, putting them squarely in control of their own destiny in the chase for a crucial first-round bye.

The two teams will square off again Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m.

Photos by Pushpika Mendis and Thomas Becker