Reds cruise past Panthers 85-63

FREDERICTON, NB—There was no way Reese Baxendale (Sussex, NB) was going to allow her former team, the UPEI Panthers, to win Friday night's game at UNB's Richard J. Currie Center. The former Panther scored 13 points to help the REDS win 85-63. 

"I was excited to play in this one and see all the girls again," said Baxendale. "But I'm excited for every game, regardless of who the opponent is." 

Jayda Veinot (Port Williams, NS) led the REDS with 20 points and eight rebounds, earning the Tim Hortons Player of the Game honours.  

Katie Butts (Ottawa, ON) hit two career milestones in Friday's game, surpassing 400 points and 300 rebounds in her Atlantic University Sport regular season career.  

The first half began with both teams showcasing their physical play. 

Baxendale led the REDS with a steal, following through with a layup to boost the lead 10-4 just past the halfway mark in the first. 

She finished the quarter draining a three-pointer at with 37 seconds on the clock and beat the buzzer with an impressive underhand layup to tie the game 15-15. 

Panthers' guard Lauren Rainford (Toronto, ON) gave her former teammate some credit. 

"You learn people's tendencies when you play with them for that long," she said."We know what she likes to do, we tried to stop her, but she's a good player, and she's going to still score." 

The close battle continued through the second quarter. 

Kylee Speedy (Fredericton, NB) sunk a step-back three, giving the REDS a strong 10-point lead about four minutes in. In response, Rainford countered, nailing a long three of her own. 

"Obviously, that's not the way we wanted to play today," said Rainford. "But we'll look to bounce back tomorrow. There's a lot of things that we could fix, and we'll try and do that tomorrow." 

The REDS concluded the half leading 44-35. 

In the third quarter, the REDS took off. 

On a set play, Jennifer Nkuah (Brampton, ON) laid a pick, allowing Veinot to roll off left, draining a three-point shot to push UNB's lead to 59-39 halfway through the quarter.  

UPEI's Devon Lawlor (Millcove, PE) got her bench on their feet, making back-to-back three-point shots in the final 30 seconds of the quarter to close the gap to 68-52.  

The final quarter was more of an even effort from both teams, but the REDS managed to maintain their lead. 

At the four-minute mark, Speedy showed her determination, making an impressive layup, driving to the basket through traffic while being fouled. Her made free throw extended UNB's lead to 78-54. 

The game closed with the REDS on top, winning 85-63. 

The U SPORTS No. 7 ranked REDS remain undefeated on top of the Atlantic University Sport standings with a 5-and-0 record. 

The Panther's record now stands at 3-and-2. 

The REDS and Pathers finish their weekend series on Saturday. Tip-off is at 6 p.m.

RECAP BY: Madison Tucker, for UNB Athletics / PHOTOS BY: James West, for UNB Athletics