(HALIFAX, N.S.) - The UPEI Panthers (3rd seed) made the most of their return to championship weekend with a 95-80 win over the Cape Breton Capers (6th seed).
UPEI's Subway player of the game Elijah Miller (Rexdale, Ont.) led the way with 37 points and five rebounds for the Panthers.
Both teams went toe-to-toe throughout the opening quarter. Cooper Ward (Ipswich, Australia) made a layup for CBU, then the Panthers immediately answered on the next possession, with Glen Cox (Scotsburn, N.S.) making a basket. It set the tone for a back-and-forth opening frame with a number of highlight reel-worthy plays including a Chris Ruta (Calgary, AB) dunk for the Capers and an open three-pointer by UPEI’s Dakelle Brooks (East Preston, N.S.).
The Panthers took their first double-digit lead of the game in the second quarter and kept rolling with 14 unanswered points in a sequence where Sam Chisholm (Bridgetown, N.S.) had offensive and defensive rebounds along with points on the board. This run opened up a comfortable 50-26 lead late in the second half. After 20 minutes, UPEI held a 55-28 lead.
CBU’s Ibrahim Gosselin-Diawara (Montreal, Que.) had five points and three rebounds in the first half for the Capers.
First team all-star Elijah Miller was near perfect in the first half. UPEI’s second-year guard completed three-of-three three-point attempts, made both free-throws and was seven-for-10 from the field.
All-rookie team member Jonas Kesller (Bergen, Norway) led the Panthers with 11 rebounds, including seven in the first half.
The Capers put together a six-point run in the opening minutes of the second half, with two baskets from Gosselin-Diawara. CBU continued to chip away at the lead, cutting it down to a 20-point defecit before a three-point jump shot from UPEI’s Dakelle Brooks eased the pressure.
UPEI continued to control the second half, leading 73-50 after three quarters.
With their experienced players on the court, CBU made another late push with an eight-point run, but Glen Cox made a three-pointer for the Panthers to stop the run.
Elijah Miller continued to put numbers on the board in the fourth quarter, making 11 free-throws. The all-star finished 15 for 16 on the night from the line.
AUS MVP Osman Omar finished the night with 17 points for the Capers, including 11 in the second half. He momentarily left the game with an injury but was able to return to close out the game.
CBU’s Subway player of the game Chris Ruta was a perfect seven-for-seven from the field, including two slam dunks. The rookie forward contributed 16 points and six rebounds.
UPEI takes on STFX in the semifinals on Saturday, March 19 at 8:30 p.m. The X-Men defeated UNB Reds 94-76 on Thursday to reach the semis.
Watch the semifinals and the finals of the 2022 Subway AUS Basketball Championships on AUStv.ca. Tickets available via Ticket Atlantic.
Recap by Jonathan Briggins