Axewomen flip script, stun Panthers with second-half takeover
The UPEI Panthers had the game in their hands for 20 minutes, and then watched it slip away.
By Thomas Becker
The UPEI Panthers had the game in their hands for 20 minutes, and then watched it slip away.
After building a 40-28 halftime lead, UPEI managed just 17 points across the entire second half as the Acadia Axewomen stormed back for a 61-57 win Saturday night at the Chi-Wan Young Sport Centre.
UPEI (10-7) burst out of the gate with its best basketball of the evening, building a 26-13 first-quarter lead behind a scorching Devon Lawlor. The fourth-year guard drilled four first-half threes and had 16 points by the break, sparking an early surge that included timely looks from Grace Lancaster and a late Lily Vrugteman triple to keep the Panthers rolling.
Acadia (13-4) began to chip away in the second, turning the game into a grind. The Axewomen won the quarter 15-14 and leaned on free throws and extra possessions to steady themselves, while UPEI's offence cooled just enough to keep the door open. Still, the Panthers carried a 40-28 cushion into halftime—exactly the kind of margin that normally puts a home side in the driver's seat.
The third quarter is where the tide truly turned. Acadia opened the half with a three and quickly found rhythm in the paint, outscoring UPEI 16-9 to slice the deficit to five heading into the fourth down 49-44. Bianca Helmig orchestrated the push—creating for others and attacking gaps—while Samantha Russell controlled the glass and protected the rim as the Axewomen's defensive pressure began to squeeze UPEI's shot quality.
Acadia finished the job in a decisive fourth. The Axewomen grabbed their first lead of the night midway through the quarter and closed on a 17-8 frame, holding UPEI to just 10.5 per cent shooting in the final 10 minutes as the Panthers went cold from three. Helmig's layup with 36 seconds left made it 59-57, and two late free throws in the final 12 seconds sealed it.
Lawlor finished with 18 points and four threes, while Ella Simmons posted nine points and nine rebounds and Regan Cornford added nine points. For Acadia, Helmig led with 16 points and five assists, Delorey added 13, and Russell battled for a double-double (12 points, 11 rebounds) with three blocks.
The loss dents UPEI's push for a top-two finish and makes the bye scenario increasingly unlikely, as the Panthers now need help elsewhere to climb back into that spot.
The Panthers will look to get back on track when they host the Cape Breton Capers for two games next weekend.
Photos by Janessa Vanden Broek
