Panthers drop close one to Dalhousie
The UPEI Panthers put up a late fight, but it wasn’t enough as the Dalhousie Tigers came away with a 73-68 win Saturday night.
After surrendering a 10-point halftime lead, the Panthers (3-9) pulled within two points late in the fourth quarter, but the first half deficit was too much to overcome.
"We were a step slow today," said head coach Greg Gould. "We didn't seem to have the normal zip to us like we usually do."
It was a back and forth affair in the opening quarter as the Tigers (5-8) and Panthers swapped leads six times.
Tessa Stammberger scored four of Dalhousie's 14 first-quarter points, as they took a slim one-point lead into the second.
Dalhousie extended their lead 21-13, holding the Panthers scoreless for the first four minutes of the second.
The Tigers capitalized on a labouring Panthers offence, pushing their lead to 11 at halftime 35-24.
"We struggled to score in the second," said Gould. "When you're struggling to score you start to press and that's what happened to us tonight."
Stammberger continued her strong half, contributing 11 points (on 4-of-5 shooting) and six rebounds, while UPEI's Angenay Williams gave a boost off the bench with nine points.
The Panthers came out of the break determined and cut the deficit to five with a 6-0 run, but the Tigers pushed back with an 11-5 run, regaining their 11-point advantage.
UPEI's offence finally broke through late in the third, finishing strong with a 12-3 run and trimming Dalhousie's lead to 49-47.
After surrendering their big lead, the Tigers opened the fourth quarter a different team and extended their lead 59-49, while limiting UPEI offensively.
In an attempt to get his offence flowing again, Gould pulled Williams off the bench and the points followed. A 13-6 run gave the Panthers new life and hope of a possible comeback.
Down five with a chance to make it a one-possession game, UPEI turned the ball over and Dalhousie cashed in, extending their lead to seven.
The Panthers made one last push, but it wasn't enough as they came up just short 73-68.
Stammberger (19), Ainsley MacIntyre (14), Diedre Alexander (10) and Christina Brown (10) each scored in double figures for the Tigers.
UPEI's Williams led all scorers with 23 points off the bench, while starters Jane McLaughlin, Katelynn Donahoe and Tamara Tompkins chipped in with 14, 12 and 10 respectively.
The Panthers hit the road next, when they face the Cape Breton University Capers for a two game set beginning Friday, January. 29 at 6 p.m while Dalhousie heads to Scotiabank Centre on Saturday, January 30 to host the Acadia Axewomen..