Panthers drop T-Birds to advance to nationals semis for the first time

VANCOUVER – The No. 6-seeded UPEI Panthers got 21 points from Kamari Scott to upset the host UBC Thunderbirds, 90-72, in the fourth quarterfinal of the 2025 INDOCHINO U SPORTS Men's Final 8 at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre in Vancouver, Thursday. Scott, who won the Ken Shields Award for his combination of athletic performance, academic prowess and community service, went 8-for-12 from the field, including a pair of three pointers as he led all scorers.

With the win, UPEI advances to the national semifinals for the first time in program history, having fallen at the quarterfinal level five times previously.

UPEI ran out to a quick 11-2 lead midway through the first quarter, but UBC was able to mount a comeback and end the period on level terms at 20-20. However, that was as good as it got for the home side, as UPEI started the second quarter on a 18-6 run to take a 12-point lead at 38-26, and they stretched that to 47-33 at halftime. The Panthers stifled UBC in the third quarter, holding the T-Birds to just four points, as they built a 63-37 lead after three quarters. 

In addition to Scott's 21 points and seven rebounds, the AUS champions got 15 points from Kyree Thompson and 10 points and eight rebounds from Daniel Gonzalez Longarela. UBC was led Adam Olsen, who had 17 points, and Gus Goerzen, who had 14.

UPEI shot 46.7 per cent from the field, while holding UBC to only 35.2 per cent.

With the win, UPEI advances to play Calgary in Friday's national semifinal, set to start at 8 p.m. UBC heads to the consolation round, where they will face Queen's on Friday at 1 p.m.