Panthers cruise past X-Women 85-44

ANTIGONISH, NS—The UPEI Panthers dropped the STFX X-Women 85-44 on Saturday afternoon on Coach K Court. It was the second win in a row on Antigonish soil for the Panthers, who are now 8-5 on the season.  

Aiden Rainford (Toronto, ON) and Grace Lancaster (Fall River, NS) each scored 15 points for the Panthers, with Rainford chipping in four rebounds and Lancaster collecting three boards and three steals.   

STFX's player of the game Melina Collins (Brookside, NS) led all scorers with 16 points and two rebounds, while Katie Upham (North River, NS), had 11 points, six rebounds, and three assists.  

It was a back and forth first quarter with the Panthers scoring the first seven points of the game before X was able to hit the scoreboard. The X-Women made it a one point game before the Panthers found their scoring touch again. Collins led the way for STFX early, dropping 10 points in the first five minutes and drawing the game event at 13 points apiece about midway though.    

The teams continued to trade scores, but it was the X-Women leading after the first 10 minutes, 21-20.    

The UPEI defence picked up the pace in the second quarter. The Panthers limited the X-Women to eight points in the quarter while dropping 21 of their own, and it was the Panthers leading 41-29 at halftime. Lancaster had 13 points off the bench for the Panthers in the first half.    

UPEI went on a 16-2 run in the first six minutes of the third quarter, with STFX shooting 9 of 40 to that point. UPEI's offence remained consistent, and X wasn't able to gain any ground, with the quarter ending 68-35. The Panthers continued to outscore the X Women in the fourth quarter, and StFX wasn't able to find an answer to their shooting woes.  

The Panthers next hit the court on Thursday, when they will visit UNB. The X-Women are on the road next weekend for a tilt with Saint Mary's in Halifax on Saturday night.

RECAP BY: Matt Draper, STFX Sports Information / PHOTOS BY: Bryan Kennedy