The UPEI Panthers are the Atlantic University Sport women’s basketball champions.
The top-ranked Panthers defeated the Acadia Axewomen 78-59 Sunday at the Scotiabank Centre in Halifax.
FINAL | #PANTHERS 78 - @AcadiaAthletics 59
— UPEI Panthers (@UPEIPanthers) March 1, 2020
HOW DO YOU SPELL CHAMPIONS!⬇️
U. P. E. I.#GoPanthersGo | #Champions pic.twitter.com/avyfD23zJI
It is the Panthers’ six conference title and first since 1997-98.
MVP Jenna Mae Ellsworth had 10 of 24 points in the final quarter. She also had five rebounds, five assists and two steals.
Reese Baxendale was named the game and tournament MVP. She had 25 points, seven assists, five rebounds and three steals on Sunday while Karla Yepez had 12 points and 10 rebounds and rookie Lauren Rainford scored 13.
Haley McDonald had 18 points for the Axewomen while Mia Robert had 10.
Acadia led 18-17 after the first quarter while UPEI was up 37-31 at the half and 54-47 heading to the third.
The Panthers led 62-59 with 5:42 left in the game before closing on an 16-0 run.
Baxendale was joined on the tournament all-star team by teammate Ellsworth, Acadia’s Haley McDonald, Memorial’s Haille Nickerson and UNB’s Mikaela Dodig.
The Panthers will represent the conference at the U Sports nationals, Thursday to Sunday in Ottawa.
