Panthers overtake Tigers for second place after convincing win

By Thomas Becker 

The UPEI Panthers sit alone in second place. 

The Panthers (11-4) defeated the Dalhousie Tigers in convincing fashion, 72-49, and overtook them in the standings in the process.

Elijah Miller scored a game-high 17 points with five assists, four rebounds and four steals. Backup point guard Isaiah Ankra was a threat from beyond the arc where her connected on four three-pointers and finished with 14 points, five assists and five rebounds. Meanwhile, rookie forward Cameron Brown was a force on the defensive end, where he recorded a career-high six blocks. He also added 13 points, five rebounds and two assists. 

Dalhousie's Samuel Maillet and Nginyu Ngala each finished in double figures with 12 and 11 points, respectively.

After the game, Brown spoke about the team's commitment in making the hustle plays that can often change the outcome of a game.

"The key was rebounding, getting the 50-50 balls, being tough on the offensive and defensive glass and just being aggressive—attacking the rim, getting our shots and moving the ball on offence." 

For Panthers' head coach Darrell Glenn, it was all about the defensive effort. For the second consecutive game, Glenn's team limited the opponent to under 50 points.

"I've been talking about this all year long. I thought our ability to really defend and keep people out of the paint was going to be key to our success. And I thought today we did a pretty good job," Glenn said. "To hold a team like that to 49 points is a statement of how well we're defending right now." 

Maillet got the Tigers (10-7) going early when he connected on back-to-back threes to give his team an early 8-4 lead. After the teams traded baskets, the Panthers closed the quarter on an 11-4 run to pull in front 19-16. 

Miller, who was limited to four points in the first quarter, started the second with five straight points to open up a 24-16 advantage.

After Ifesinachi Chiekwe got the Tigers within six, the Panthers responded with a 13-2 run to push the lead to 37-20. Ankra was a crucial piece in the extended run, drilling two big threes. By halftime, UPEI carried a 43-24 advantage. 

Looking to get back in the game, the Tigers looked inside for easy baskets and were rewarded with layups from Maillet and Nginyu that trimmed the deficit to 43-28 early in the third quarter. Moments later, the Tigers closed the gap to 13, but Miller connected on a much-needed three-pointer to push the lead back up to 53-39. Despite Dalhousie's pressure, the Panthers went into fourth ahead 55-39.

Dalhousie has a long history of coming back against the Panthers, but the home team had no intention of letting this game slip away. Early in the quarter, Ankra connected on a corner three before Sam Chisholm drove hard to the basket for a layup to make it a 21-point game. 

The Tigers tried to whittle down the lead, but the Panthers always responded, ultimately leading to the 72-49 win. 

Up next for UPEI is the Saint Mary's Huskies, who they'll host Sunday at 6 p.m. The Tigers' next game is also against the Huskies, which will be played Wednesday night.

Photo Credit: Janessa Hogan