Panthers’ hot shooting leads to 80-58 win over Cape Breton

By Thomas Becker

A day after handing the Cape Breton Capers a lopsided loss, the UPEI Panthers came back and put together another convincing win, this time by a score of 80-58.

The Panthers (2-0) benefitted from some strong shooting, as they connected on 14-of-29 three-pointers and outscored their opponent by 33 points in that category.

Alicia Bowering scored a game-high 19 points and led the shooting barrage with four made triples on six attempts. Through two games, the sophomore sniper is shooting a blistering 61.5 per cent from distance. Teammate Devon Lawlor also connected on four three-pointers and finished with 16 points off the bench, while Lauren Rainford enjoyed another strong game with 17 points, seven rebounds, and five assists.

"We're going out there shooting without hesitation. Everyone on our team today was just really confident when they got the ball and that's what we need this season," Bowering said.

UPEI got off to a strong start and led by 12 early, but the Capers (0-2) trimmed the lead to six with the help of all-star Kiyara Letlow, who gave her teams extra possessions with her six offensive rebounds in the first quarter. The sophomore big finished with a game-high 26 rebounds.

After drilling two threes in the first, Bowering continued to have the hot hand, as she recorded 11 of her 19 points in the half. The second quarter also featured a battle of the benches, with Lawlor scoring 11 points in the frame for the Panthers, compared to MacKenzee Ryan's seven. At the break, UPEI led 40-36.

Much like the first game, the Panthers owned the third quarter, which propelled them to the victory. The home team held the Capers to just three made field goals and outscored them 25-8. Rainford and Bowering combined for 17 of those 25 points. 

"It makes a big difference in the course of a game when you can start and end quarters strong, and I thought we did that today," said Panthers head coach Matt Gamblin of the team's success in third quarters this season.

Up 65-44 heading into the final frame, Gamblin was able to use most of his bench to close out the 80-58 win.

The Panthers hit the road for a weekend set against the Acadia Axewomen, while the Capers return home to take on the St. FX X-Women for games on Friday and Sunday.

Photo Credit: Janessa Hogan