Lauren Rainford shatters scoring record as Panthers roll past Memorial

By Thomas Becker

In December 2018, newly appointed head coach Matt Gamblin embarked on a crucial recruiting trip to Toronto, searching for an athletic and versatile wing player who could elevate his program. His target? A promising talent named Lauren Rainford. He didn't know then that he wasn't just recruiting a player—he was securing the future of UPEI women's basketball.

Six years later, Rainford has etched her name into the program's history books, becoming the Panthers' all-time leading regular season scorer. She surpassed the legendary Jenna Mae Ellsworth's record of 1,380 points on a free throw with 3:52 remaining in the third quarter of Saturday evening's contest, cementing her status as one of UPEI's all-time greats.

"It's a testament to her relentless dedication and the countless hours in the gym over six years. It's hugely commendable," Gamblin said.

Rainford emerged as a foundational piece of the program during her rookie season, contributing to the Panthers' U SPORTS bronze medal run in 2020. Since then, she has continued to elevate her game, culminating in this historic achievement. 

"My role changed a lot over the years. As a rookie on a strong team, I was able to find my place while the attention was on others," Rainford reflected. "I had the privilege of learning from great leaders, and I've tried to model my leadership style after them."

Reflecting on the moment, Rainford expressed appreciation for surpassing the record held by Ellsworth, with whom she shared an AUS championship and countless battles in practice.

"If you had told me in my first year that this would happen, I would've said you're crazy," Rainford admitted. "With the daily battles we fought in practice, I wasn't even sure if I was cut out for this. But I know she's happy for me, and there's no one else I'd rather be in the company with."

Making the occasion even more special, the Panthers secured a commanding 75-58 victory over the Memorial Sea-Hawks.

Rainford led all scorers with 21 points, adding six rebounds, three assists, three steals, and a block. Grace Lancaster provided strong support with 17 points, four rebounds, and four assists, while Devon Lawlor chipped in with 12 points.

Memorial's Carly Norris contributed 20 points off the bench, and Brooke LeDevehat added 17, including three three-pointers.

The game opened with Rainford setting the tone, scoring the Panthers' first six points. After five minutes, the score was tied 6-6. Lancaster and Memorial's Brooke LeDevehat traded three-pointers, but Memorial closed the quarter with a 5-0 run, taking an 18-14 lead. 

Both teams struggled to find offensive rhythm in the early minutes of the second quarter. Memorial pushed their lead to 22-15 with a layup from Nicole Campbell, but UPEI started to attack the basket and were rewarded with trips to the free throw line. They converted six of eight attempts during this stretch, closing the gap to 24-23. Rainford then knocked down a pull-up jumper to give the Panthers a 25-24 lead.

After a Memorial timeout, Lancaster drained a three-pointer to extend the Panthers' lead to 28-24, but Memorial countered with an 8-2 run to retake the lead at 31-30. LeDevehat added another three-pointer, and Carly Norris scored inside to give the Sea-Hawks a 36-30 lead. By halftime, Memorial held a 38-32 advantage, with Norris contributing 15 points off the bench.

UPEI came out firing in the third quarter. Rainford nailed a three-pointer to cut the deficit to one, and Abby Miller followed with a push shot. Lancaster tied the game at 41-41 with a free throw, and Miller's second close-range basket gave UPEI a 43-41 lead. Rainford then made history, hitting a pair of free throws—including the record-breaking point. She followed it up by intercepting two inbound passes, leading to easy layups to push UPEI ahead 49-43. By the end of the quarter, the Panthers held a 56-48 lead.

Lily Vrugteman opened the quarter with a three-pointer to extend the margin to 11. After Alyssa Jenkins connected on a triple at the 6:05 mark, UPEI went on a 9-0 run, stretching their lead to 68-51 before cruising to a 75-58 victory.

Defensively, the Panthers imposed their will in the second half, limiting Memorial to just 20 points on 23.1 per cent shooting. Their defensive intensity was further highlighted by forcing 29 turnovers, translating into 31 points in transition.

The Panthers close out the regular season at home against the Cape Breton Capers Saturday night.

Photo Credit: Janessa Vanden Broek