A week after their losses to the UNB Varsity Reds in Fredericton, the UPEI Panthers basketball teams get a chance to redeem themselves tonight at home.
The women’s team (2-8) is up first, battling the Reds (3-7) in Atlantic University Sport action at the UPEI Sports Centre.
Game time is 6 p.m.
The men’s teams square off at 8 p.m.
Last week, the women Panthers lost to the Reds by a score of 83-61.
UNB was led by second-year small forward Claire Colborne, whose 35 points remain tops in the league for most points in a single game.
Panthers head coach Carly Clarke said sometimes the six-foot Colborne is “unstoppable.”
“I don’t think we can stop her,” Clarke admitted. “But we can limit and contain her better than we did on Friday. Early in the game, we forced her to really work to get her scores. . . . Keeping our discipline in that regard will be key.”
Panther guards Amy Gough and Danielle MacDonald are coming off big games against St. F.X. Sunday, and will hope to continue their hot-scoring ways.
UPEI’s Jenna Jones continues to lead the Panthers at 12.6 points-per-game.
Clarke said playing with discipline, controlling the game’s tempo, and defensive rebounding will be the route to success against UNB.
Offensively, she wants her team to stick to their strengths and share the ball.
“In our wins this year, our team has proven we are best when we are a team,” Clarke said. “That means we have four to five players scoring double figures, and four to five with seven-plus rebounds. We are not and cannot be a team reliant on one player.”
Team basketball also translates into fun-to-watch and successful basketball, she said.
As for the men’s squad, they are hoping their 100-76 win over nationally-ranked St. F.X. is the start of another long winning streak.
Last Friday, they lost to UNB by a score of 80-77 when they failed to score on three straight possessions late in the game.
The Panthers (7-3) are unbeaten at home this season, while the Reds (3-7) are winless on the road.
“Playing at home helps for sure,” said head coach Tim Kendrick. “The crowd is really a big help. It really does provide a big lift for our guys.”
He praised the newly-formed Cage Crew for creating a positive energy and a “great university atmosphere” in the building.
Sunday’s win over St. F.X. snapped a three-game losing streak for the Panthers, and featured all five starters in double figures.
Kendrick said poor shooting during the losing streak frustrated his players and permeated through to the rest of their game.
“It was a collective thing,” he said. “To our players’ credit, it wasn’t anything to do with energy. We attacked the basket on offence and defensively. We’re going to shoot the ball better.”
Saturday, the Panthers will be in Halifax to do battle with the Dalhousie Tigers.
