(WOLFVILLE, N.S.) - On the second night of back-to-back games against the UPEI Panthers, the Acadia Axewomen fell short in a 58-50 defeat Saturday night to finish off the CIS Shoot for the Cure weekend with a split.
Despite double-doubles from both Subway Player of the Game Abbey Duinker, who had 12 points and 15 rebounds, and first-year forward Alexandra Berry with 10 points and 13 rebounds including seven on the offensive glass, Acadia was unable to gain the victory.
Both teams shot roughly the same from the field, got to the free throw line the same number of times and had nearly the same contributions from the bench. Although the Axewomen out-rebounded UPEI 50-34, they recorded 24 turnovers, which the Panthers translated into 19 points.
In the first quarter, UPEI came out strong and held the Axewomen to only eight points, while scoring 14 of their own. But Acadia answered back with a stronger second quarter, ending on a 10-3 run led by Berry with six points.
However, it was the Panthers who came out in the third looking to distance themselves. Subway Player of the Game Laura Power contributed 16 points.
Rookie Maire Burke drove for a layup that tied the game with four minutes to go in the third but UPEI pushed to a 46-39 lead heading into the fourth. Darcy Zinck, who sunk a buzzer beating three to end the game last night, sunk another buzzer beater at the end of the third from the distance arc to stretch the Panther lead.
The first basket of the final frame was another three-pointer from Zinck to stretch the lead to nine. But rallied around Duinker and Berry, Acadia cut the advantage to three with three minutes left in the game. In the end it was turnovers down the stretch and made free throws on the part of the Panthers that saw Acadia fall 58-50 in the tight matchup
The Panthers travel home to host UNB while Acadia will head to Saint Mary's this Wednesday night to take on the CIS No. 1-ranked Huskies.
Source: Ashley Hasler for Acadia Sports Information