Late turnover proves costly as Panthers drop 78-77 decision to UNB
It was the kind of loss that sits in your chest, not because the UPEI Panthers didn’t belong, but because they did.
By Thomas Becker
It was the kind of loss that sits in your chest, not because the UPEI Panthers didn't belong, but because they did.
UPEI (9-5) led for long stretches and at times outplayed the UNB Reds, but a frantic final sequence swung the other way as the Reds (14-1) pulled out a 78-77 win Saturday at the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre.
The ending was ruthless. Devon Lawlor's corner jumper put UPEI up 77-73 with 29 seconds to play, but UNB struck back immediately on a clutch three from Katie McAffee. A full-court press flipped the script moments later, as Kylee Speedy forced a turnover and fed Ann Bastien for the go-ahead layup with 12 seconds left. The Panthers had one final look, but Grace Lancaster's turnaround fadeaway slid off the rim as the Reds escaped with a one-point win.
The final sequence was cruel, but it didn't define the afternoon on its own. What preceded it was 40 minutes of composure, physicality, and belief from a Panthers group that went toe-to-toe with one of the conference's gold standards and, for long stretches, dictated the terms.
UPEI set the tone early, with Lancaster knocking down a three to make it 5-2 in the opening minutes. The veteran guard was poised and assertive throughout, finishing with a game-high 23 points, including four triples that consistently punished UNB's rotations. After briefly surrendering the lead, the Panthers responded with a 5-0 spurt before turning their focus downhill. Layups from Karla Benitez, Elise Plaschka, and Samantha Zoffranieri capped a strong interior push, helping UPEI carry a 22-16 edge after one.
The second quarter tightened. UNB opened with back-to-back threes from Bastien and Speedy to draw level, but UPEI answered with purpose. Lancaster scored four straight, followed by four more from Lawlor, who finished with 17 points and repeatedly steadied the Panthers when momentum threatened to swing. The Reds closed the half on a 9-3 run, trimming the margin to just one, 37-36, at the break.
UPEI delivered its best stretch after halftime. A Lancaster three and a Lawlor and-one pushed the lead to 43-37, and after UNB clawed back within two, Ella Simmons buried a timely three as part of her seven-point afternoon. The Panthers surged again late in the frame—a corner three from Lindsay Black, a crafty Lily Vrugteman finish inside, and another Lawlor and-one powered a run that sent UPEI into the fourth with a 61-55 advantage. Inside, Ingrid Khuong was solid again, battling her way to eight points and nine rebounds.
Lancaster opened the final quarter with another triple, but UNB leaned on its experience late. The Reds were paced by Katie Butts' 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Speedy added 13 points and six assists and McAffee chipped in 12, just enough to tilt the final moments.
It was a loss that stung, but also one that confirmed UPEI belongs in these moments.
The Panthers head on the road next weekend, aiming to get back in the win column with a two-game set against the Saint Mary's Huskies.
Photos by Janessa Vanden Broek
