Panthers win 104-82 over Huskies

Despite missing one of their captains due to injury, a deep Panthers squad, led by five double-figure scorers, captured a 104-82 win over the Saint Mary's Huskies Saturday night.

The country's leading scorer, Tyler Scott added 34 points in the effort, while teammates Brad States (13), Milorad Sedlarevic (13), Dut Dut (12) and Jake Kendrick (10) stepped up in Lorenzo Parker's absence.

"I think we got some play from guys that normally give us good play, but maybe a little bit better when we needed it at times tonight," said Panthers head coach Tim Kendrick.

The Panthers (6-2) wasted little time making their mark on the game, when Scott pleased the home crowd with a thunderous dunk for an early 5-0 lead. UPEI extended their lead 16-4 before forcing the Huskies (3-5) to call a timeout.

"If we can start the game on a run it immediately puts the other team a little bit on their heels because they know we can score."

After regrouping in the huddle, Saint Mary's went on a 13-5 run narrowing the gap to four, but a Kendrick three-pointer, followed by two at the charity strike gave the Panthers a 26-18 lead after one.

The home squad went on another strong run to start the second, pushing their lead up 42-25. The two squads traded baskets for the remainder of the half, giving the Panthers a 57-41 lead at the break.

Saint Mary's came out of the break strong and jumped on the Panthers early with an 11-6 run, cutting the deficit to 11. A defensive lapse late in the third narrowed UPEI's lead 79-71 heading into the final frame.

But that's as close as the Huskies got. Both teams struggled with their shot early in the quarter, but a focused Panthers defence kept the Huskies from inching any closer.

A three-point play by Sedlarevic gave UPEI their double-digit lead back en route to the 104-82 win.

"That's a big win for us," said Scott. "We're missing him (Parker) and he's a pivotal part of our offence. We got a win without him, now we'll get him healthy and it's just going to make us stronger."

The Panthers will take to the court again Jan. 15 and 16 at 8 p.m. when they host the 5-3 Acadia Axemen.

By Thomas Becker, photo Mike Needham