X-Women hold off Panthers in 86-82 OT thriller

(CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I.) - In the second semifinal game, StFX was able to put an end to UPEI's season in what would be a nail biting over time victory.

Another huge local contingent was out to support their hometown Panthers and were treated to an entertaining, high-octane bout.

StFX struck first, jumping out to an 8-0 lead, with UPEI not scoring a field goal until the four-minute mark of the first quarter.

The Panthers were able to compose themselves and clamp down on defence forcing StFX into four straight turnovers near the end of frame. UPEI closed out the first with four threes and held StFX scoreless for the final five minutes trailing 20-19 going into the second quarter.

Foul trouble was the story of the second quarter for both teams. X-Women first team all-star Lia St. Pierre and second team all-star Kolbi Roper were forced to the bench with three first half fouls apiece, while UPEI's Amy Gough sat with three of her own and five other players had two each.

At the midway point of the game, the second seeded X-Women had a slight edge, 37-35, with defensive player of the year Rebecca Sheehan leading the way, dropping in 13 points on five of nine shooting.

The Panthers' bench was the story of the second half. Julie Hatcher came of the bench to hit back to back threes, giving the Panthers a four-point lead six minutes into the second half.

UPEI would force St. Pierre to the bench with her fourth foul while they outscored StFX 21-14 in the quarter to lead going into the last quarter.

First-year players Kiera Rigby and Candace Smith provided a spark for the Panthers in the final quarter as they stretched the lead to eight with four minutes gone by.

StFX would not back down however, going on a run of their own to take a 67-66 lead at the 5:00 mark.

The final minutes of the quarter were back and forth with neither team unable to close the door at the free throw line and StFX holding on to a slight advantage 71-69.

With 10 seconds to go in UPEI's season, Laura Power executed a beautifully crafted out-of-bounds play to tie the game at 71 forcing overtime.

The two teams traded three pointers in the extra period but StFX's firepower proved to be too much for UPEI to overcome in the end as their season ended with an 86-82 loss.

Player of the game honors for the Panthers went to Danielle MacDonald who led the team with 21 points. UPEI's bench scored 46 points to StFX's 17 and was the catalyst for the Panthers whenever they were falling behind.

The starters led the way for StFX with four players scoring in double digits led by Subway Player of the Game, Rebecca Sheehan, who led all scorers with 22. She also added 10 boards, three assists, a block and a steal.

The top two seeds will face off, as StFX will look to hand Saint Mary's their first loss of the season in the championship game, Sunday at 2 p.m.

Source: Jonathan Lane for UPEI Sports Information