Axewomen lock down Panthers in fourth quarter in gritty 67-56 victory

By Thomas Becker

The Acadia Axewomen clamped down defensively in the final stretch, holding the UPEI Panthers to eight points in the fourth quarter to secure their first win of the season 67-56.

Fatigue was a clear factor for both teams after they fought through a gruelling double-overtime game less than 24 hours prior. But Acadia's (1-3) resilience, especially on the defensive end, paid off in the end. 

Acadia's Bianca Helmig was a standout, leading all scorers with 22 points, grabbing seven rebounds, and adding two steals. She was supported by Kristen Simmons, who chipped in 10 points off the bench. 

The game started with Helmig wasting no time, scoring seven of Acadia's first nine points as the Axewomen built an early four-point lead. UPEI's Devon Lawlor and Samantha Zoffranieri responded with back-to-back threes, sparking a comeback that put the Panthers (3-1) ahead 14-13. But Simmons answered for Acadia with a three-pointer to end the first quarter, giving her team a 20-19 edge. The Panthers' bench accounted for 13 of those 19 first-quarter points, keeping the game close.

In the second quarter, the Axewomen surged ahead, opening on a 10-0 run highlighted by a Helmig three-pointer, which extended their lead to 30-19. UPEI's Grace Lancaster and Lawlor scored timely baskets to keep the Panthers in contention, as they closed the half with a 16-9 run to narrow the gap to 39-35. Helmig had 14 points by halftime, while UPEI's depth continued to shine, with 23 bench points at the break. 

Early in the third quarter, the Panthers clawed their way back, tying the game at 39 after consecutive layups from Lauren Rainford and Lawlor. A free throw from Deborah Aboagye briefly put UPEI in the lead, but Acadia countered with a 9-1 run capped by Samantha Russell's layup, pulling the Axewomen ahead 48-41. UPEI's Abby Miller and Rainford responded, trimming the deficit to just three at the end of the quarter with Acadia leading 51-48.

The final quarter proved to be UPEI's undoing. The Panthers' offence stalled, allowing Acadia to extend their lead to 58-50 with just under seven minutes remaining. Acadia's relentless defence held the Panthers scoreless for six minutes in the middle of the frame, as they opened up a 17-point lead with 1:22 remaining before sealing the 67-56 win. 

For UPEI, Lancaster finished with a team-high 14 points, adding three rebounds and two assists, while Lawlor provided a spark off the bench, tallying 11 points on an efficient 5-of-7 shooting.

The Panthers will host the Saint Mary's Huskies for two games next weekend, while the Axewomen travel to Saint John's, Newfoundland for two against the Memorial Sea-Hawks.

Photo Credit: Janessa Vanden Broek