Panthers hold on down the stretch to defeat X-Women

ANTIGONISH, NS - The UPEI Panthers survived a late surge by the STFX X-Women and held on for a close 66-62 win in AUS women's basketball action Saturday night on Coach K Court.   

Grave Lancaster dropped a game-high 23 points for the Panthers, who moved to 6-3 on the season, with Devon Lawlor knocking down 17. Shannon Neita had 17 points for the X-Women, who also got 14 from Reegan Bell and Kristine Cooper.  

First quarter action was fast paced, with the teams trading scores early. The Panthers pulled ahead midway through with a 12-1 run, including a triple from Lawlor. Lancaster splashed another UPEI three-pointer late, and the teams switched ends with the visitors leading 27-12.  

The X-Women battled back in the second quarter, with Neita and Bell leading the way. A highlight steal then pass from Cooper to Mali Straker got the crowd cheering as STFX cut the lead to 10 by halftime. STFX struggled from long-range, flailing to land a shot from beyond the arc in the first 20 minutes. The Panthers meanwhile went 14 for 17 from the free-throw line, while STFX shot four from the charity stripe.   

STFX went on a 10-4 run to open the third quarter, as they continued to cause Panther turnovers while limiting their own. A pair of free-throws from Neita tied the game with two minutes to go, but five straight from Lawlor kept the Panthers on top heading into the final 10 minutes.  

The Panthers opened the final quarter with four straight points in the first minute before a STFX timeout. The X-Women replied with four straight points of their own, as the continued to climb back into the game. Copper hit a pair of triples in the final 60 seconds to bring the Blue and White within two with 20 seconds to go, but a pair of made free-throws from Lancaster sealed the win for UPEI. 

The X-Women hit the road next weekend for a game against the University of Cape Breton Capers on Saturday, November 29, at 6 p.m. UPEI heads home next weekend to host the Memorial Seahawks on Friday, November 28, at 6 p.m. 

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Recap courtesy Matt Draper, STFX Athletics