(CHARLOTTETOWN, PE) The UPEI Panthers beat the UNB REDS 73-64 in a crucial four-point Atlantic University Sport game on Thursday, in Charlottetown.
The rare Thursday night game was originally scheduled for January 13th but was postponed due to weather.
"We had a rough night to say the least," said REDS head coach Jeff Speedy. "We shot the ball poorly and made a lot of poor decisions when we had good opportunities to score."
The Panthers, who began the evening in fourth place in the AUS standings, ended the night in a three-way tie for first place.
Lauren Rainford (Toronto, ON) finished with a team-high 18 points to go along with three assists, three steals and two blocks, while her sister, Aiden Rainford (Toronto, ON), contributed 15 points and eight rebounds.
Jayda Veinot (Port Williams, NS) led all scorers with 21 points and 11 rebounds, while Erin Ingalls (St. George, NB) reached double figures with 11 points and five rebounds.
UNB carried the lead for most of the first quarter, but Sydney Cummins (Wolfville, NS) capped a 5-0 run with a corner three to give UPEI a slim 15-14 advantage after 10 minutes.
The close battle continued in the second quarter before UPEI went on another run to extend their lead. The Panthers outscored the REDS 11-6 in the final five minutes of the half, taking a 35-30 lead to the break.
Veinot came out of the half-time break strong and connected on back-to-back three-pointers to give her team a one-point advantage. However, the Panthers responded with seven straight points to pull in front 42-36.
After three quarters, UPEI led 53-48.
In the fourth, the Panthers opened on a 9-0 run to make it 62-48, forcing UNB to regroup with a timeout.
The REDS went to the full-court press to get back in the game, and for the most part it worked as they forced several turnovers, but they just couldn't score on the extra possessions, which sealed their fate.
UNB managed to get within nine with 3:42 to play, but that's as close as they'd get and UPEI won 73-64.
The REDS were without post Katie Butts (Ottawa, ON), sidelined by injury.
"Katie being out with an injured shoulder didn't help but we have confidence in the girls that played in her place," said Coach Speedy. "The Panthers were really aggressive and we didn't handle it well. Time to move on and focus on Acadia."
The REDS are now 9-6 and sit fourth in the AUS standings, just two points out of that three-way tie for first.
Up next for UPEI, another home game, but not until next Friday. They host Saint Mary's.
The REDS now travel to Wolfville for a Saturday tilt with the Axewomen. Game time is 6:00pm.
RECAP BY: Thomas Becker/UPEI Athletics
PHOTOS BY: Janessa Hogan/for UPEI Athletics