UPEI win high-scoring thriller over CBU 107-106

(Charlottetown, P.E.I.) – The UPEI Panthers made it a clean sweep on the weekend defeating the CIS No. 6-ranked Cape Breton Capers 107-106 at the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre in front of 354 fans Saturday night.

There was no shortage of offence from the tip-off as both teams came out running and gunning combining for 74 points in the first quarter with CBU holding a slight lead, 38-36. Kyle Hankins (Burlington, Ont.) led the Capers with 10 first quarter points while Tyler Scott (Halifax, N.S.) led the Panthers with 12 of his own.

The Capers continued to torch the net in the second quarter taking a 10-point lead through 40 minutes, 65-55. CBU's Kyle Hankins continued to have the hot hand going six-for-eight from the field for 14 points at the half.

UPEI would counter with an offensive outburst of their own in the third quarter thanks in large part from the efforts of fifth-year senior Geoff Doane (St. Margaret's Bay, N.S.) and third-year forward Brad States (Bathurst, N.B.).

Doane provided the boost off the bench UPEI was in need of scoring seven of his 14 points while States added seven of his own. The Panthers took a one-point lead into the final quarter, leading the Capers 87-86.

The fourth quarter was a seesaw battle with neither team able to pull away. UPEI's Tyler Scott knocked down a transition three pointer off the assist from Ellis Ffrench (Wolfville, N.S.) with three minutes to go to put the Panthers up 101-96.

The Capers would rally back to take back the lead 102-101 with under two minutes left in regulation, thanks to two three-point plays by Kyle Hankins (Burlington, Ont.).

Scott would strike again for the Panthers with a step back from long range to put UPEI back on top by two points in the final minute until CBU's Kayon Mayers' (Mississauga, Ont.) elbow jumper brought the game back to even at 106-106.

Scott would draw a foul, and go one for two from the free throw line to put UPEI ahead with 1.1 seconds left.

The game ended on an attempted lob pass from CBU's Kelson Devereaux (Sydney, N.S.) to Hankins with the Panthers escaping with the victory, 107-106.

Hankins was the leading scorer for the Capers in the loss, finishing with 22 points on an impressive eight-for-11 shooting performance. Meshack Lufile added 18 of his own despite being in foul trouble for most of the game.

Tyler Scott led all scorers for the second night in a row, this time with 28 points on 10-for-15 shooting, with five baskets coming from downtown. Brad States added 21 points three blocks and two steals while Ellis Ffrench and Geoff Doane chipped in with 16 and 14 apiece.

Geoff Doane played the role of sixth man to perfection and for that was named Subway player of the game, scoring 14 points, grabbing four rebounds and drawing three offensive fouls on CBU's big men.

UPEI (3-1) travels to Memorial next weekend for two games on Saturday and Sunday.

Cape Breton (2-2) will look to rebound when they take on Acadia in Wolfville, Friday, Nov. 21.

Source: Jonathan Lane for UPEI Sports Information