Panthers get past Tigers in AUS Semifinal

(HALIFAX, N.S.) - The third-seeded UPEI Panthers defeat the second-seeded Dalhousie Tigers in the second semi-final game of the Subway AUS Women's Basketball Championship Saturday afternoon at Scotiabank Centre.

UPEI's Anne Kiberd (Halifax, N.S.) opened the scoring in the first quarter at the free throw line making it 2-0.

Halfway through the quarter, Dalhousie led 11-6.

With three remaining in the first frame, fourth-year UPEI guard Darcy Zinck (Halifax, N.S.) sunk two at the free throw line to bring the Panthers to within five points as Dalhousie led 15-10.

AUS MVP Courtney Thompson (Saint John, N.B.), a fifth-year from Dalhousie, took to the free throw line twice in the last minute of the quarter and increased the Tigers' lead to 18-10.

With 10 seconds left in the quarter, UPEI's Candace Smith (New Minas, N.S.) sunk a three-pointer to bring the Panthers within three, 18-15.

The two teams traded layups and jump shots to start the second. Four minutes in, Dalhousie led UPEI 24-19.

Halfway through the quarter, the Panthers brought the game within one point as the Tigers led 24-23.

With three minutes remaining, Dalhousie's Tessa Stammberger (Kensington, P.E.I.) sunk a three-pointer to bring the score to 31-23.

In the final minute of the half, UPEI responded with two three-pointers in a row and closed the gap by four as Dalhousie led 33-29.

At the end of the half, the Tigers led the Panthers 35-29. Thompson led the scoring with 14 points and four rebounds.

To open the second half, Thompson continued her point streak, making it 37-29 less than a minute in.

Just over three minutes into the third frame, the Panthers brought the score to within four, 37-33.

The final three minutes of the quarter were dominated by UPEI as they held Dalhousie at bay and brought the game within two points. By the end of the third frame, the score was 50-48 for Dalhousie.

Stammberger extended the Tigers lead early in the fourth, making the score 52-48.

An 8-0 Panthers run followed, with fourth-year guard Katelynn Donahoe (Riverview, N.B.) draining two consecutive threes and Terrilyn Herrick (Kinburn, Ont.) making both of her free throw attempts. The Panthers gained the lead, 56-52.

The Tigers were quick to counter. A Stammberger three pointer brought Dalhousie to within one 58-57.

The Panthers fought back aggressively, going on a 9-0 run to extend their lead to 10 points with just 46 seconds remaining in the game.

Despite another successful layup from Thompson, the Tigers could not find a way to close the gap. Three more made free throws made the final score 70-59 in favour of the Panthers.

Thompson was named Subway player of the game for Dalhousie, posting an impressive 27 points and four rebounds, four assists and two steals.

The Tigers' Wilsons Security defensive player of the game was Kristy Moore (Shad Bay, N.S.) – this year's AUS nominee for the CIS Tracy MacLeod Award. Moore posted six defensive rebounds and two steals for Dalhousie's defence.

Subway player of the game for the victorious Panthers was Terrilyn Herrick who chipped in 12 points.

Tamara Tomkins (Centreville, N.B.) was named Wilsons Security defensive player of the game for UPEI. She contributed nine points, two rebounds and two steals in the win.

The Panthers now advance to face the Saint Mary's Huskies Sunday in the Subway AUS Women's Basketball Championship final game at 1p.m. at Scotiabank Centre.