(CHARLOTTETOWN, PE) Jayda Veinot's (Port Williams, NS) exceptional offensive skills, coupled with her team's formidable defensive performance, orchestrated a decisive 65-45 win for the UNB REDS over the UPEI Panthers, Friday night in Charlottetown.
Veinot was easily the best player on the court as the perennial all-star scored a game-high 24 points on 50-percent shooting and added seven rebounds and three assists. Katie Butts (Ottawa, ON) recorded a double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, while Erin Ingalls (St. George, NB) filled the stat sheet with nine points, eight rebounds, seven assists, two steals and two blocks.
"I really thought Erin stepped up at both ends of the floor tonight," said REDS' head coach Erin McAleenan. "Her defensive effort tonight was superb. She consistently locks down the other team's best player and pursues the ball on the boards to lead us."
The Panthers struggled offensively, limited to 22.5-percent shooting. Aiden Rainford (Toronto, ON) and Deborah Aboagye (Montreal, QC) scored eight apiece to lead UPEI.
Veinot dominated the opening period, scoring 13 of her team's first 15 points in less than five minutes, as the REDS stormed ahead 15-5.
UNB's offence stalled briefly before they closed the quarter on a 6-3 run for the 21-8 advantage. Defensively, the REDS stifled the Panthers who were limited to just three field goals on 15.8-percent shooting.
However, the Panthers weren't going down without a fight and started the second quarter on a 6-0 run to cut the deficit to 21-14.
After burning a timeout, the REDS attacked the Panthers inside, where Butts used her size and length to score at will.
The third-year centre connected on three consecutive layups, two of which came on easy putbacks, to extend the lead to 31-16.
At the half, UNB led 33-20.
Both teams struggled early in the second half before UNB's Leah Travers (Calgary, AB) got things going with back-to-back three-pointers to make the score 40-24 near the mid-way point of the third quarter.
The teams traded baskets the rest of the way and the REDS carried a 47-31 advantage into the fourth quarter.
Jennifer Nkuah (Brampton, ON) opened the fourth scoring with consecutive layups to make it a 20-point game.
After the Panthers cut it to 15, Veinot capped off a 7-0 run with a triple for a 58-36 UNB lead before the REDS won it 65-45.
"I was really pleased with our start and focus in the first quarter," said Coach McAleenan. "I think we pushed the ball well in transition and found Jayda really well. Throughout the second and third quarters we dug in defensively to limit their scoring opportunities which helped us hold the fort when our shots weren't dropping."
With the win, the REDS are now 8-1 and continue to sit atop the Atlantic University Sport standings.
UPEI is 5-5 and tied for fourth place.
The two teams will square off again Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:00pm.
RECAP BY: Thomas Becker/UPEI Athletics
PHOTOS BY: Janessa Vanden Broek/for UPEI Athletics