Huskies dominate Panthers to stay perfect at 6-0

By Thomas Becker

The Saint Mary's Huskies cemented their status as the Atlantic University Sport's (AUS) top team and a national powerhouse with a commanding 72-51 win over the UPEI Panthers Saturday afternoon.

Improving to a perfect 6-0 on the season, the Huskies used a dominant second half to secure the victory, outscoring the Panthers 43-28 over the final two quarters.

Saint Mary's bench was a game-changer, outscoring UPEI's reserves 28-4. Leading the charge was Julia Black, who tallied 16 points, including four three-pointers, while adding six rebounds, four steals, and three assists in an outstanding all-around performance. Katelyn Power contributed 10 points, three rebounds, and two blocks off the bench, while Lucina Beaumont was the lone Huskies starter to reach double figures with 14 points and 10 rebounds. 

For the Panthers (3-3), Devon Lawlor dropped a game-high 17 points on an impressive 5-of-6 shooting from beyond the arc. Lauren Rainford chipped in 11 points, four assists, and two steals, while Grace Lancaster added 10 points in the effort. 

The game began with the Panthers showing early promise. Rainford found Lawlor on a backdoor cut for UPEI's first points before Lawlor drilled a three to make it 5-2. A push shot from Karla Benitez extended the early lead to 7-2. However, the Huskies quickly responded with layups by Beaumont and Aliyah Fraser to tie the game at eight.

Saint Mary's took control late in the first quarter with an 8-0 run, highlighted by two three-pointers from Black, giving the Huskies a 16-10 advantage.

In the second quarter, the Huskies pushed the lead to 10, powered by consecutive layups from Beaumont. UPEI fought back with a late 9-5 run to trim the halftime deficit to 29-23, despite shooting just 24.2 per cent from the field. 

The third quarter proved pivotal. Each time UPEI attempted to close the gap, Fraser responded with timely three-pointers, including one that snuffed out a 6-0 Panthers run and restored an eight-point lead. Despite a valiant effort from Lawlor and Benitez, who hit key threes to keep UPEI within striking distance, the Huskies closed the quarter on a back-breaking 11-0 run, capped by five straight points from Black to make it 58-42 after 30 minutes.

Saint Mary's clamped down defensively in the fourth, holding UPEI to just nine points to seal the 72-51 victory.

The Panthers will look to rebound next Friday when they visit the Cape Breton Capers, while the Huskies host the UNB Reds in a Saturday night matchup.

Photo Credit: Janessa Vanden Broek