Panthers defeat Huskies 89-82 despite near triple-double from Linton-Brown

CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. - Saint Mary's guard Shae Linton-Brown was an assist shy of a triple-double in a losing effort, as the UPEI Panthers defeated the Huskies 89-82 on Sunday afternoon in Charlottetown, P.E.I. 

The Panthers had to fight for this win even after carrying a 55-42 lead into halftime. They were outscored 22-8 in the third quarter and went into the fourth down a point, but guard Elijah Miller scored 13 of his game-high 29 points in the fourth to made sure his team would come out on the winning side.

In the final home game of his career, fifth-year guard Dakelle Brooks opened the game with three straight triples to give the Panthers an early 9-6 lead.

His teammates followed his lead and quickly doubled their opponent 20-10. On the ensuing possession, Brooks drilled his fourth three-pointer forcing the Huskies to call a timeout.

The breather didn't help much as the Panthers took the first quarter 31-17 after Miller drained a triple at the buzzer.

Jonas Maerz capped off a 9-3 run with a three-pointer to make it 34-26 early in the second. The two teams traded baskets for a while before UPEI looked inside for four consecutive layups, which pushed the lead to 53-34. However, the Huskies closed the quarter on an 8-2 run to trim the deficit to 55-42 at halftime.

The Huskies came out of the break with the defensive intensity that was lacking in the first half and were rewarded for their effort as they started the third quarter on a 10-2 run to get within five, 57-52. They held UPEI without a point for over six minutes before forward Cameron Brown ended the drought with a dunk.

But Saint Mary's kept coming and stormed in front 64-63 after guard Jayrell Diggs connected on a triple before the buzzer.

The fourth quarter featured a series of lead changes throughout, but the Panthers secured the win with an 8-0 run in the final 2:50. Miller and Kamari Scott got it started with back-to-back layups. On the next possession, Brown gathered an offensive rebound with one hand and went up strong for the putback before Miller sealed the 89-82 win with free throws.

Panthers guard Elijah Miller was named Subway Player of the Game with a game-high 29 points and seven assists. Guards Dakelle Brooks and Isaiah Ankra added 19 and 14 points respectively, while forward Cameron Brown came off the bench for an 11 point, 11 rebound double-double.

Huskies guard Shae Linton-Brown stuffed the stat-sheet with 19 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists. All five Huskies starters scored in double-figures, with Jayrell Diggs leading the pack with 22 points, along with Jonah Crowther (14 points), Dontae Mitchell (12 points), Jackson Enyinna (10 points).

The Panthers win improved their record to 12-4 and clinched a playoff berth, heading into to a doubleheader next weekend against the Cape Breton Capers.

The Huskies loss drops their record to 7-9 on the season. The Huskies will be back in action on Wednesday night, as they visit the Dalhousie Tigers at Dalplex, with tip-off scheduled for 8 p.m.

Recap by Thomas Becker / UPEI Athletics
Photos courtesy Janessa Hogan / UPEI Athletics