(CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I.) - UPEI knocked off AUS leading and CIS No. 7-ranked Saint Mary's, handing them their first regular season loss in over 30 regular season games, winning 60-40, Friday night at the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre in front of 300 fans.
The Panthers and Huskies played a tight first quarter with each time taking early leads but UPEI was able to hold on to a six-point lead, 13-7, after one quarter.
Kennisha-Shanice Luberisse (Montreal, Que.) scored all seven of the Huskies' points while Darcy Zinck (Halifax, N.S.) and Anne Kiberd (Halifax, N.S.) led the Panthers with four each.
UPEI was able to stretch their lead to nine by halftime, holding the Huskies to only six first-half field goals. Tamara Thompkins (Centreville, N.B.) had a strong first half showing with eight points off the bench while Saint Mary's Luberisse led all scorers with nine.
Saint Mary's looked to be getting back on track in the third quarter as they attempted to chip away at UPEI's lead, winning the quarter by two to cut the Panthers' lead to 41-34.
Unfortunately, poor shooting was the Huskies' downfall in this game, as they could not get it going from the field in the fourth quarter.
SMU made just 12 field goals in the game and were only able to score on two attempts in the final 10 minutes of play.
UPEI pounced on SMU's miscues and opened up the scoring to run away with the game in a 60-40 victory.
The Huskies were led by Luberisse with 13 points and Laura Langille who added seven points to go with four steals.
Darcy Zinck led the way for UPEI's bench, scoring 12 points and adding four steals of earning Subway player of the game honours.
UPEI (7-5) finish their six-game home stand Saturday against the UNB Varsity Reds (6-6) at 6 p.m. in Charlottetown, P.E.I.
Saint Mary's (10-1) travel to Antigonish for a weekday game Wednesday, Jan. 28 to take on the St. FX X-Women (4-8) at 6 p.m.
Source: Jonathan Lane for UPEI Sports Communications