(CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I.) - The UPEI Panthers topped the Acadia Axewomen in back-to-back games this opening weekend in Charlottetown.
The Axewomen were forced to play both games without their leading scorer, Kristy Moore, and without third-year point guard Rita Sibo. Both were out due to injury.
The Panthers topped Acadia 62-47 on opening night. The Axewomen bounced back in game two on Saturday evening with a close 59-54 loss.
The Axewomen were 28% from the floor and one for eight from the distant arc in the second half. Leading scorer Kristy Moore played under two minutes, leaving the game with an injured knee. Second-year guard Maya Macatupag picked up the slack with a 15-point performance, while teammate and senior forward Abbey Duinker posted the second most points with nine.
UPEI took an early first quarter 24-10 lead and continued with several runs, pushing the Panthers to a 37-19 lead. Acadia picked up the pace in the second half but could not make up the 18-point deficit, capturing only a 10-8 fourth quarter win.
The Panthers' Laura Power recorded her first double-double of the season with 11 points and rebounds, while teammate Jenna Jones had a game-high 16 points. Terrilyn Herrick and Amy Gough had 13 and 14 points respectively in the Panther's win.
The Panthers had 24 bench points compared to Acadia's 14.
Fifth-year post Abbey Duinker posted a game-high 20 points in the Axewomen's second loss to UPEI in the two game weekend series. Katie Ross, a dual-sport athlete who just completed her soccer season last week, added 11 points to the Axewomen's 54-point total.
An improved outing by Acadia was highlighted by a better field goal percentage of 40.4% compared to UPEI's 30.3%. Leading the Panthers 14-13 after one quarter, the game was deadlocked at 23 after one half. Tied at 38 after three quarters, the Panthers took the final frame 21-16 for the eventual 59-54 win.
Standouts for the Panthers included local Horton product Candace Smith's 14 points, while Amy Gough posted her second double-digit scoring game of 12 points.
The Axewomen will reload this weekend and prepare to host Dalhousie in their home opener Wednesday night. UPEI will head to Fredericton next weekend to take on the 1-1 UNB Varsity Reds.
Source: Acadia Sports Information