Panthers top Tigers 76-46 on their home court
UPEI takes a convincing 76-46 win off Dalhousie on Saturday night
Halifax, NS) – The Dalhousie Tigers hosted the UPEI Panthers on Saturday night in the first of back to back games this weekend. With unforgiving defensive and offensive play, the Panthers took the game 76-46.
UPEI's Reese Baxendale (Apohaqui, NS) started the night by putting up a quick two. Converting on a Tigers foul, Baxendale hit a three followed by teammate Lauren Fleming (Sussex, NB) hitting back to back threes. After being shut-down offensively for nearly half the quarter, Dalhousie finally caught a break on a foul and were able to get on the board with two.
UPEI had clear control with a combination of great defensive coverage and ball movement that created clean opportunities from the inside and three point line. The quarter finished with Dalhousie down 17-5.
The Panthers picked up where they left off in the second quarter. The Tigers were given no space on the outside and nearly all their attempts to work the inside were stuffed. The Panther's talent and teamwork were on full display, heading into the half with a convincing 41-21 lead.
Dalhousie started the second half with a promising two from Morgan Gause (Baltimore, MD). The Panthers pushed back and did not let the Tigers find their offensive footing. Tightened defense from the Tigers made an intense but low-scoring quarter with UPEI leading 55-36.
Tiger Chloe Wilson (Dartmouth, NS) got one off a foul early in the fourth quarter. A two minute dry spell for both teams was ended by Fleming sinking a three.
Despite their lead the Panthers did not take their foot off the gas. With less than three minutes left in the game, UPEI led Dalhousie 70-45.
In the last minutes the Tigers went cold and could only catch one off a foul while the Panthers continued to bring the heat and finished the game 76-46.
UPEI's Lauren Rainford earned the Subway player of the game title with statistically well-rounded play.
The Tigers will host UPEI again tomorrow for their final regular home game of the season.
Recap by Dana Baker