Panthers hold off Axewomen for 74-66 win

(WOLFVILLE, N.S.) – The UPEI Panthers completed the regular season with a 74-66 win over the Acadia Axewomen and improve to 13-7 and third place in the AUS standings.

The loss drops the Axewomen to 4-16 on the season, missing this year's Subway AUS women's basketball championship scheduled to begin this Thursday night at the Scotiabank Centre in Halifax.

Ahead 14-9 after one quarter, the Axewomen fell behind late in the second frame to end the first half with 30-29 lead.  Acadia's Subway Player of the Game, Paloma Anderson (Phoenix, Arizona) posted a team-high 11 points at the half but was out-done by Panthers' Danielle Macdonald (Sydney Mines, N.S.).

Macdonald, named the Subway Player of the Game, posted 13 at the half and 24 for the game.

The Panthers pushed out to a 53-46 on the back of Macdonald's seven points that included an early three pointer that tied the game at 41.

UPEI would hold onto a lead for the remainder of the game with Julie Hatcher (Riverview, N.B.) sinking a three in the closing minutes of the third quarter to give the Panthers a 49-45 lead.

Amy Gough (St. John's, N.L.) pushed the lead to a game-high 13 points within the first two minutes of the final quarter on a three pointer, to give UPEI a 61-48 advantage.

The Axewomen didn't give up though, closing the lead to 65-61 with four minutes remaining in the game after baskets from the distant arc from Aprille Deus (Brampton, Ont.) and Chanel Smith (Halifax, N.S.).

Panthers leading scorers included Macdoanld with 24 and Laura Power with 15.

The Axewomen's Paloma Anderson posted a game-high 28 points, while teammates Chanel Smith and Allie Berry (Yarmouth, N.S.) had 12 and 10 respectively.

The Panthers staved off the last minute heroics by the Axewomen, holding onto a 74-66 win.  UPEI will head into the championship weekend seeded third overall.

Following the game, Acadia University and fans were given an opportunity to honour Axewomen head coach Bev Greelaw at a ceremony prior to the men's game included thank you wishes from staff, administration, fans and players. Greenlaw retires after seven seasons with the Axewomen.

Source: Acadia Sports Communications