The Dalhousie Tigers took care of business against the young UPEI Panthers 85-70 Saturday night.  

MVP candidate Sven Stammberger got his team going with seven quick points as the Tigers took an early lead. The Panthers kept pace with the defending champions and responded with a balanced attack, with seven players hitting the score sheet in a close 21-18 first quarter.  

Dalhousie broke the game wide open in the second, where they shot a blistering 66.7 per cent from the field. Centre Kevin Duong scored seven off the bench, while teammate Xavier Ochu added six for the Tigers, who took command 49-31 at the break.  

The visiting team locked down on defence in the third and held the Panthers to just 14 points on 35.3 per cent shooting, as they extended their lead to 66-45 after three.  

UPEI took advantage of the Tigers young bench late in the fourth and cut the deficit to as little as 12. Frustrated with the turn of events, head coach Rick Plato promptly pulled his starters off the bench to close it out 85-70.  

Stammberger, who was named Subway Player of the Game, finished with a team-high 16 points, while teammates Ochu (13), Alex Carson (12) and Sascha Kappos (10) each scored in double figures.  

In his final game as a Panther, Samy Mohamed put up a game-high 17 points. 

The Tigers head to the Subway AUS Championship as the number one seed with a bye to the semifinal round.