UNB pulls away late, hands Panthers 81-53 loss

By Thomas Becker 

If the UPEI Panthers are going to make a championship push this season, the most likely path runs straight through the UNB Reds.

Friday night offered another reminder of just how steep that climb can be, as one of the country's top programs handed the Panthers (9-4) an 81-53 loss at the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre. It marked UPEI's third meeting with UNB (13-1) this season, and once again the Reds showed why they remain a national benchmark.

UNB wasted no time taking control. The Reds jumped to a 12-2 start, scoring at the rim and cashing in on UPEI turnovers, with Katie Butts asserting herself early inside and Katie McAffee pouring in eight of her 11 points in the opening frame. By the end of the quarter, UNB had stretched the margin to 24-11, forcing UPEI to play catch-up against a defence that closes space quickly and doesn't give many clean looks.

The Panthers responded with purpose in the second. Grace Lancaster opened the quarter with a three, but UNB answered with a 9-0 run capped by an Ann Bastien triple to push the lead to 33-14. Rather than fold, UPEI found a spark off the bench. Karla Benitez attacked the rim for an individual 5-0 burst, Lancaster finished a layup, then jumped a passing lane to set up Regan Cornford in transition, trimming the deficit to 36-24. Devon Lawlor added a pair of free throws late as the Panthers closed the half on a 13-3 run, heading into the break down just 36-27. 

That momentum carried into the third. After trading early baskets, UPEI rattled off six straight points—four from Ella Simmons—to pull within 41-37. However, UNB responded with a 10-2 run capped by a Zoe Olscamp three to regain separation. Still, Simmons and Samantha Zoffranieri helped UPEI close the quarter strong, making it 55-47 entering the fourth. 

Even in defeat, there were tangible positives for the Panthers to take forward. UPEI outscored UNB across the middle two quarters, winning the second and third 36-31 by pushing pace, attacking downhill, and getting strong production off the bench. It was a glimpse of what's possible when the Panthers face the Reds again Saturday afternoon, and perhaps later this season with even more on the line.

Against one of the nation's elite, though, that margin is unforgiving. The momentum UPEI had built slipped away early in the fourth as Kylee Speedy struck for four quick points and UNB turned up the defensive pressure, limiting the Panthers to just six points the rest of the way as the Reds pulled clear, 81-53.

Butts led UNB with 22 points and 13 rebounds, while Bastien added 12 and McAffee finished with 11. For UPEI, Lancaster and Simmons paced the Panthers with 10 points apiece, while Ingrid Khuong chipped in eight points and five rebounds.

Photos by Janessa Vanden Broek