Veinot leads Reds past Panthers 65-45

By Thomas Becker

Jayda Veinot's (Port Williams, NS) exceptional offensive skills, coupled with her team's formidable defensive performance, orchestrated a decisive 65-45 win for the UNB Reds over the UPEI Panthers. 

Veinot was easily the best player on the court Friday night, as the perennial all-star scored a game-high 24 points on 50 per cent shooting with seven rebounds and three assists. Katie Butts (Ottawa, ON) recorded a double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, while Erin Ingalls (St. George, NB) filled the stat sheet with nine points, eight rebounds, seven assists, two steals and two blocks.

Meanwhile, the Panthers (5-5) struggled offensively where they were limited to 22.5 per cent shooting. Aiden Rainford (Toronto, ON) and Deborah Aboagye (Montreal, QC) scored eight apiece to lead the team. 

Veinot single-handedly dominated the opening period, scoring 13 of her team's first 15 points in less than five minutes, as the Reds stormed ahead 15-5.

UNB's offence stalled a bit before they closed the quarter on a 6-3 run for the 21-8 advantage. Defensively, the Reds (8-1) stifled the Panthers who were limited to just three field goals on 15.8 per cent shooting.

However, the Panthers weren't going down without a fight and started the second quarter on a 6-0 run to cut the deficit to 21-14. 

After burning a timeout, the Reds attacked the Panthers inside, where Butts used her size and length to score at will. The third-year centre connected on three consecutive layups, two of which came on easy putbacks, to extend the lead to 31-16. At the break, UNB led 33-20. 

Both teams struggled out of the gate before UNB's Leah Travers (Calgary, AB) got things going with back-to-back three-pointers to make 40-24 near the midway point of the third quarter. The two teams traded baskets the rest of the way, as the Reds carried a 47-31 advantage into the fourth.

Jennifer Nkuah (Brampton, ON) opened the fourth-quarter scoring with consecutive layups to make it a 20-point game. After the Panthers cut it to 15, Veinot capped off a Reds' 7-0 run with a triple for a 58-36 lead before coming away with the 65-45 win.

The two teams will square off again Saturday at 4 p.m.

Photo Credit: Janessa Vanden Broek