Panthers take over 2nd place, best UNB 57-49 in four-point win

(CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I.) - UPEI's bench outscored UNB's by 16, propelling the Panthers to a 57-49 victory Saturday night at the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre in front of 200 fans.

Both UNB and UPEI struggled to score in the opening 10 minutes of Saturday night action with the Varsity Reds shooting 27 per cent and the Panthers shooting a mere 18 per cent.

The two teams headed into the second quarter tied at seven.

The rim still seemed to have a lid on it at both ends of the court in the second quarter. UPEI could not convert on any of their 12 attempts from long distance while turning the ball over 12 times in the first half. UNB had their own problems losing the ball 16 times, but managed to take a slight lead into the midway point, 19-18.

Rachel Cleary (Brantford, Ont.) led the way for UNB with four points and eight rebounds while Tamara Tompkins (Centreville, N.B.) led UPEI with four points, three rebounds and two steals.

UPEI was able to find some success in the third quarter with the help of their bench who scored 11 of their 20 points in the frame. Tompkins led the bench attack as they outscored UNB's 21-6 through three quarters en route to a 38-34 lead.

The Panthers maintained their lead in the fourth quarter despite finishing the game shooting only 34 per cent from the field and 15 per cent from three-point territory, compared to UNB's 39 per cent and 27 per cent. They did so by getting to the line, hitting 12 of 14, and capitalizing on the Varsity Reds' miscues, scoring 21 points off turnovers.

UPEI finished off a six-game home stand winning 57-49 and taking over second place in the AUS standings.

The top performers for the Varsity Reds were Rachel Cleary with six points and 12 rebounds and Grace Wade (Moncton, N.B.) and Nicole LaFleur (Fredericton, N.B.).

UPEI's Anne Kiberd (Halifax, N.S.) was the game's high scorer with 12 but it was Tamara Tompkins who earned Subway player of the game honours thanks to her gritty play off the bench, finishing with 10 points, five rebounds and four steals.

UPEI (8-5) travels to Cape Breton to take on the Capers (7-6) next Friday, Jan. 30 at 6 p.m.

UNB (6-7) heads to Wolfville to take on Acadia (1-11) at the same time.

Source: Jonathan Lane for UPEI Sports Communications