Lancaster lifts Panthers back to final

By Thomas Becker

They're back where they belong.

For the second straight season, the UPEI Panthers are headed to the AUS Women's Basketball Championship final after a 69-63 semifinal win over the Acadia Axewomen on Saturday night at Scotiabank Centre.

Last year, they left one win short. This year, they intend to finish it. 

Behind a commanding performance from fifth-year guard Grace Lancaster, the Panthers punched their ticket back to Sunday afternoon, leaning on defensive pressure, pace, and timely shot-making to outlast the Axewomen. 

Lancaster was the engine. The Fall River, N.S., product poured in 28 points on 11-of-18 shooting, including 5-of-8 from three, while adding two steals and a block in 37 composed minutes.

"Getting open looks early helped out a lot," Lancaster said. "I felt confident in my shot tonight. A lot of that credit goes to my teammates, they moved the ball really well and put me in great spots to succeed."

The opening quarter was physical and unforgiving. UPEI struck first and briefly built a cushion, but Acadia's second-chance opportunities kept the Axewomen within reach. Every time the Panthers threatened to create separation, Acadia extended possessions on the glass and closed the frame on a brief spurt to take a 20-18 lead after one.

The second quarter delivered the first true swing.

Acadia stretched the margin to 29-23 midway through after converting in transition off a turnover. The game could have tilted, but it didn't.

Cornford finished through contact at the rim. Lancaster stepped into a three. Then Karla Benitez took over, scoring six straight, including two strong takes where she blew past her defender. In a handful of possessions, the Panthers erased the deficit and surged ahead 34-33. By halftime, it was deadlocked at 37-37. 

"Our three keys today were defend, rebound, and run," Lancaster said. "I thought we did those really well tonight. When we get stops and push in transition, that's when we're at our best."

The third quarter is where UPEI seized control, with Lancaster leading the charge.

Lancaster drilled a three to open the half, and the Panthers never gave the lead back. When Acadia threatened, UPEI responded with stops and spacing. Lancaster scored 13 in the quarter—three triples, timely mid-range looks, and constant pressure—as the Panthers stretched the margin to 58-52 heading to the fourth.

The fourth wasn't about rhythm. It was about resilience. Shots stopped falling. Possessions stretched. And when Acadia trimmed the lead to 58-56, the margin for error disappeared.

Ella Simmons delivered one of the biggest shots of the night—a confident corner three to stretch the lead back to six. She finished with 12 points and helped steady the offence late.

Still, Acadia refused to fold, cutting it to 66-63 inside the final three minutes. But with just over 10 seconds remaining, Lancaster jumped a passing lane, took the steal coast-to-coast, finished through contact, and converted the free throw to seal it at 69-63.

Now comes the final step.

UPEI has faced the UNB Reds four times this season and hasn't broken through yet, something Lancaster acknowledged.

"We should've won the fourth one," she said with a smile. "But I think our pace and our depth are advantages. We're quick, we defend hard, and we know what we're capable of."

Last year's final brought nerves. This year brings perspective.

"I was really nervous in my first finals," Lancaster admitted. "But the preparation we've put in throughout the year is what you fall back on. We've prepared. We've put in the work. And we're ready."

The Panthers have been here before. This time, they intend to finish the job.