Jayda Veinot delivers in fourth quarter, leads Axewomen past Panthers 73-67

By Thomas Becker

The UPEI–Acadia rivalry is alive and well.

The Axewomen (9-4) took Round 2 this time around, as Jayda Veinot went on a tear to open the fourth quarter, scoring eight straight points to turn a three-point deficit into a five-point lead. Acadia rode that lead to the end in a thrilling 73-67 win. 

"We meet each other a lot, especially in the AUS playoffs," Veinot said of the matchup. "Both teams always show up ready to play wanting that win. It's been a healthy rivalry throughout these years and I think both teams respect each other."

Veinot finished with a game-high 20 points to go along with nine rebounds and six assists. Elizabeth Iseyemi recorded 15 points and 10 rebounds for the double-double, while teammates Samantha Russell and Olivia Moller also finished in double figures with 12 and 10 points, respectively.

Lauren Rainford had 20 points the other way, while Reese Baxendale had 19.

The Axewomen took advantage of a rusty Panthers (9-1) squad—who hadn't played since late-November—as they opened the game on a 19-5 run on the backs of Russell and Iseyemi who combined for 17 first-quarter points.

The Panthers rediscovered their rhythm late in the quarter and closed on a 15-6 run with Rainford scoring six straight for the home team. Acadia still led 25-20 after one.

The Axewomen opened the second quarter on a 7-0 run and took a 32-20 lead, but Baxendale, as she's done her entire Panther career, came up big to keep her team within reach. The fourth-year guard drilled two three-pointers to make it a 32-29 game.

Moller came off the bench and provided a spark for the visiting team. She scored eight in the frame, including back-to-back triples to keep her team in front 40-31. However, UPEI ended the half with three straight layups, as they trimmed the deficit to 42-39 at the break.

Baxendale went to work in the third and converted three straight layups to make it a one-point game in what turned into a back-and-forth affair.

Moments after Alicia Bowering tied the game at 52-52 on a triple at the 6:15 mark, Rainford converted a pair of free throws to pull the Panthers ahead for first time in the game. Rainford followed that up with a layup to give UPEI a 58-55 lead after three quarters.

That's when Veinot took over. The third-year wing scored all eight of her fourth-quarter points in just 1:16. That strong individual effort catapulted the Axewomen in front 63-58, as they held on for the 73-67 win.

"We let ourselves get a little bit tired in the third, but we all committed in the end to give it everything we had," Veinot said.

The Panthers look to get back in the win column when they host the St. FX X-Women Sunday at 2 p.m.

Photo Credit: Janessa Hogan