(CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I.) - UPEI was able to outlast the Acadia Axewomen Friday night at the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre in front of 250 fans, winning 70-66.
Friday marked the 8th Annual Shoot for the Cure game with UPEI facing the Acadia Axewomen in a closely fought contest. Both teams traded leads in the first half but it was the Panthers who held a slight edge 41-33 heading into halftime.
Anne Kiberd (Halifax, N.S.) got hot early for the Panthers hitting on all four of her first quarter shots, finishing with 12 points in the half to lead all scorers. Danielle MacDonald (Sydney Mines, N.S.) added seven points to go along with four assists.
Acadia was led by Paloma Anderson (Phoenix, Arizona) who scored eight points, adding four assists of her own. Teammates, Aprille Deus (Brampton, Ont.) and Chanel Smith (Halifax, N.S.) each tallied seven for the Axewomen.
UPEI's shooters cooled off in the third quarter allowing Acadia to chip away at the eight-point lead. Led by Anderson and Smith, Acadia was able to turn the momentum in their favor and take over the lead, 51-50, heading into the final 20 minutes.
The game was up for grabs in the final quarter as neither team could pull away for good. UPEI would steal the lead away from Acadia only to lose it again a few minutes later. The lead changed hands three times and it was UPEI who came out on top with a 70-66 victory.
Anne Kiberd led all scorers with 20 points, including four buckets from long range, but it was teammate Amy Gough (St. John's, N.L.) who earned Subway player of the game honours. Gough had her fingerprints all over the game on both ends of the floor finishing with 14 points and 10 rebounds as well as two blocks and steals on the defensive end.
The Axewomen's top performer was Paloma Anderson who filled the stat sheet with 19 points, six rebounds, seven assists and four steals.
UPEI (10-6) travels to Fredericton to take on the UNB Varsity Reds (7-8) Saturday, Feb. 6, at 6 p.m.
Acadia (3-3) sees action this Wednesday, Feb. 11, when they take on AUS leading, Saint Mary's (12-2) at 6 p.m. in Halifax.
Note: Photo includes long time UPEI Panthers supporter, Marguerite Connolly, alongside Acadia's Aprille Deus and UPEI's Danielle MacDonald who participated in the ceremonial ball toss.
Source: Jonathan Lane for UPEI Sports Communications