UPEI flexes depth, secures dominant weekend sweep

By Thomas Becker

A night after rolling past the Memorial Sea-Hawks, the UPEI Panthers doubled down delivering a 73-59 win built on balance, toughness, and a lineup that looked in complete control from tip to buzzer.

The win capped a commanding weekend sweep at the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre and propelled UPEI to 8-3 on the season, further cementing their status as one of the AUS's most balanced and resilient groups. With contributions pouring in from every corner of the lineup, the Panthers looked like a team hitting its stride.

From the opening minutes, UPEI looked intent on picking up where they left off Friday. Devon Lawlor got them going with an early layup and a wing three, while Grace Lancaster and Lily Vrugteman helped drive a 17-4 surge that put the Panthers firmly in control. By the end of the first quarter, UPEI led 21-12, with their trademark pressure defence. 

The second quarter followed a similar script: waves of Panthers contributing. Regan Cornford provided a huge spark off the bench, pounding the paint for tough finishes and calmly knocking down free throws, while Lancaster and Sydney Lawlor each cashed in from beyond the arc. Even when Memorial (3-7) generated extra possessions through offensive rebounds, UPEI consistently forced tough, contested looks. The Panthers carried a 36-23 lead into halftime and had already showcased the balance that would define the afternoon. 

Any hopes of a Sea-Hawks comeback were quickly smothered after the break. Karla Benitez opened the third quarter with a three, Lancaster sliced in for a layup, and Lawlor buried a jumper as UPEI stretched the lead into the twenties. The Panthers outscored Memorial 19-16 in the frame and went to the fourth up 55-39, firmly in the driver's seat.

Memorial finally found some rhythm from deep in the fourth, with Brooke Ledevehat and Amelia Mitchell hitting shots to trim the margin, but every run was met with a response. Benitez attacked off the bounce, Lancaster answered with back-to-back buckets, and Cornford and Vrugteman continued to clean the glass and cash in at the line to keep the Sea-Hawks at arm's length.

On a day where no one had to carry the load, the stat sheet told the story. Lawlor led UPEI with 17 points and six rebounds, Lancaster added 14 and five, and Cornford delivered a monstrous 15-point, 12-rebound double-double off the bench. Benitez chipped in 11 points and seven boards, while Vrugteman posted eight points and eight rebounds as UPEI finished with five players scoring eight or more.

Memorial got 19 points and five threes from Ledevehat and another 17 from Serena Phillips, while Eavan McLaughlin flirted with a double-double (nine points, nine rebounds). But outside of that trio, the Sea-Hawks struggled to generate consistent offence.

With the victory, UPEI heads into the new year looking very much like a group that can win games in multiple ways, and with just about anyone on the floor.

Photos by Thomas Becker