Rainford’s career night powers Panthers past Acadia in double-OT thriller

By Thomas Becker

Fuelled by Lauren Rainford's overpowering 35-point performance, the UPEI Panthers outlasted the Acadia Axewomen 94-90 in Friday night's double-overtime thriller.

The intense battle saw both teams trading leads and clutch shots until the Panthers (3-0) eventually pulled away late in the extra frame. Back-to-back and-ones from Rainford and Karla Benitez in the final moments made it 92-85, all but sealing the victory.

Rainford led the charge on both ends for UPEI, scoring a career-high 35 points with four steals and three blocks. Grace Lancaster chipped in 13 points and contributed three steals in the victory.

"I've never been in a game like that before. It was really intense down the stretch and I think both sides were worn down by the end," Rainford said. "Our mindset was just to stay focused on our defence. Defence was 100 per cent what won us that game and players like Lily (Vrugteman) really came in and showed what it means to lock in defensively."

Reflecting on her career night, Rainford said she simply capitalized on the opportunities the defence presented.

"With so many threats on our team, it's not just me the defence has to worry about so that really opens the floor up for everyone."

The game began with Acadia (0-3) scoring the opening basket, but UPEI quickly answered with a 6-0 run to seize the lead. Lancaster's continued the Panthers' early push, scoring four straight points to extend their advantage to 14-6. Rainford and Deborah Aboagye each scored eight points in the first quarter, hitting a combined 8-for-10 from the field, which helped UPEI take a 25-18 lead after the opening 10 minutes.

However, the Panthers' offence cooled down in the second quarter, allowing Acadia to rally. The Axewomen went on a 10-2 run, led by Samantha Russell, who followed a three-pointer with a layup to pull Acadia ahead 28-27. Freshman Naki Alonzo answered with a pair of baskets, including a corner three to put UPEI back in front 33-29. The Panthers closed the quarter on a strong note with a Lancaster layup, extending their lead to 37-32, but Acadia's persistence cut the gap to 37-36 at halftime.

Rainford came out firing to start the third quarter, sinking a three to put UPEI up 40-37. However, Acadia responded with a quick 5-0 burst to regain the lead. After Rainford reclaimed momentum for the Panthers with an and-one, Sarah Delorey scored three straight layups to pull the Axewomen within two, 58-56. By the end of the third, UPEI held a slim 60-57 advantage.

The fourth quarter saw both teams battling fiercely, and after a series of defensive stops and timely buckets, the score was locked at 63-63. UPEI's bench stepped up as Sydney Cummins and Vrugteman each nailed a three-pointer to give the Panthers a 68-63 lead. Cummins added a layup moments later to make it 70-63 with just under five minutes to go. But Acadia stormed back, closing regulation on a 9-2 run, forcing overtime with the score knotted at 72-72.

In the first overtime, both teams traded baskets in a back-and-forth battle that ended with the scoreboard still tied at 81-81. It wasn't until the second overtime where UPEI seized control. Rainford was clutch, converting a crucial and-one play to put the Panthers up 88-85. Moments later, Benitez added another and-one, extending UPEI's lead to 92-85 and effectively putting the game out of reach.

Despite a balanced scoring effort from the Axewomen, who saw four starters in double figures, UPEI's resilience and timely scoring proved too much. Acadia's Delorey finished with a team-high 18 points and eight rebounds, while Russell and Bianca Helmig each contributed 17 points. Lisa Bolander added 13 points, hitting 4-of-6 from beyond the arc.

The two team will battle it out again Saturday at 2 p.m.

Photo Credit: Janessa Vanden Broek