Panthers defeat Capers 74-68, secure spot in championship showdown

By Thomas Becker

The UPEI Panthers are headed to the championship game after a gritty 74-68 win over the Cape Breton Capers Saturday night, proving that their defence is as tough as advertised.

With the league's top defence suffocating Cape Breton's every move, the Panthers held the Capers to just 33.3% shooting, disrupting their offensive rhythm and stifling their top scorer, Shakael Pryce.

While Sam Chisholm didn't score a point in the game, his defensive effort on Pryce was crucial. Pryce finished with 23 points, but a whopping 15 of those came from the free throw line, a testament to Chisholm's relentlessness, which minimized Pryce's effectiveness from the floor. UPEI's defensive strategy also highlighted the performance of centre Daniel Gonzalez Longarela, who was dominant in the paint, contributing 16 points, 14 rebounds, three steals, and two blocks to help neutralize Cape Breton's inside presence. 

"We pride ourselves on being the top defensive team in the conference, and that's a testament to guys like Sam and Dani," said Kyree Thompson, who led the Panthers with 23 points. "Coach Glenn has instilled a great system, and we're executing it at a high level." 

On the offensive side, Thompson's performance in the fourth quarter was especially crucial, as he scored eight straight points during a key stretch. After hitting two consecutive three-pointers, Thompson followed with a stepback fadeaway jumper to extend UPEI's lead to 59-52 with 8:20 remaining, providing his team with the momentum they needed to close the deal. 

"The guys trust me to step up in those moments, and I trust the work I put in every day," said Thompson. "Once I got into a rhythm, my shot started to fall."

Kamari Scott was another key contributor, finishing with 17 points and nine rebounds. His ability to get in the paint and create second-chance opportunities were vital throughout the game.

The first quarter was a back-and-forth battle, with neither team able to gain more than a three-point advantage. UPEI found themselves trailing by two, 19-17, at the break, despite a solid six points from Gonzalez Longarela and five off the bench from Owen Smith.

In the second quarter, the Panthers hit their stride as Scott (seven points) and Kyree Thompson (six points) fueled a critical run, lifting UPEI to a 37-34 halftime lead. With their speed and tenacity, the duo kept attacked the basket, converting tough layups and capitalizing on free throw opportunities to seize the momentum heading into the second half.

The third quarter was a stalemate, with both teams managing 14 points each. As the clock ticked down, UPEI clung to a narrow 51-48 lead, setting the stage for a high-stakes final frame that quickly ratcheted up the intensity. 

Thompson's eight straight points at the start of the fourth quarter pushed UPEI's lead to 59-52. Cape Breton made one last push when Tafarian Black hit a three to close the gap to 59-58, but that was as close as they would get. The Panthers extended their lead to 69-60, and although Pryce scored eight points in a 20-second span to cut the lead to 71-68 with less than a minute left, UPEI held firm and closed out the win. 

With the victory, UPEI advances to the championship game, where they will face the St. FX X-Men in a rematch of the 2023 final. The showdown will take place Sunday at 4 p.m.

"It's a great opportunity for us, no pressure at all," Scott said. "We've beaten them before, so we just need to come ready. This will be my third time playing in an AUS championship game, and I've experienced both the highs and the lows. It's a huge opportunity for me to lead this team to a title.

Tomorrow will definitely be a dog fight but it's time to dig deep and go after that championship."