CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – The Memorial Sea-Hawks used a big third quarter to defeat the UPEI Panthers 87-79 Sunday in Atlantic University Sport women’s basketball action.
UPEI led 15-14 after the first quarter and 41-39 at the half, but the visitors outscored the host squad 28-16 in the third to take a 67-57 advantage to the fourth quarter.
“We scored lots, 79 points, we should win. We didn't defend,” Panthers head coach Greg Gould said. “I love my team and they’re not going to quit. I just didn't think we defended very well off the dribble today and that really resulted in some easy shots.”
Brooklyn Wright had a game-high 30 points to go with 12 rebounds to pace the Sea-Hawks while Rosie Stanoev scored 19 and Haille Nickerson scored 14 off the bench.
Jenna Mae Ellsworth had 25 points, six rebounds and four assists for the Panthers. Carolina Del Santo had 16 points and 15 boards while Kiera Rigby scored 14 points.
Panthers fourth-year forward Jane McLaughlin left in the third quarter with an undisclosed injury.
Gould said it had impact on the team.
“Obviously, you’re concerned about your teammate,” he said. “Jane is a big part of what we do, but they were missing their best scorer (Sydney Stewart) too.”
Both teams are 8-8 but UPEI holds a two-point advantage in the standings as the conference uses an unbalanced schedule where some games are worth four points and others two.
UPEI has defeat every team in the conference, but Gould said it has to continue to get better during the next four regular season games to be ready for the playoffs.
The Panthers are in Fredericton, N.B., this weekend to play the UNB Varsity Reds Friday and Saturday.
