Black scores career high 16 as Huskies defeat Panthers 72-51

CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI - Saint Mary's guard Julia Black came off the bench to score 16 points, including four three-pointers, as the U SPORTS #4 ranked Huskies defeated the Panthers 72-51 on Saturday afternoon in Charlottetown.

Improving to a perfect 6-0 on the season, the Huskies used a dominant second half to secure the victory, outscoring the Panthers 43-28 over the final two quarters.

Saint Mary's bench was a game-changer, outscoring UPEI's reserves 28-4. Leading the charge was Julia Black, who tallied 16 points, including four three-pointers, while adding six rebounds, four steals, and three assists in an outstanding all-around performance. Katelyn Power contributed 10 points, three rebounds, and two blocks off the bench, while Lucina Beaumont was the lone Huskies starter to reach double figures with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

For the Panthers (3-3), Devon Lawlor dropped a game-high 17 points on an impressive 5-of-6 shooting from beyond the arc. Lauren Rainford chipped in 11 points, four assists, and two steals, while Grace Lancaster added 10 points in the effort.

The game began with the Panthers showing early promise. Rainford found Lawlor on a backdoor cut for UPEI's first points before Lawlor drilled a three to make it 5-2. A push shot from Karla Benitez extended the early lead to 7-2. However, the Huskies quickly responded with layups by Beaumont and Aliyah Fraser to tie the game at eight.

Saint Mary's took control late in the first quarter with an 8-0 run, highlighted by two three-pointers from Black, giving the Huskies a 16-10 advantage.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Julia Black hits a deep three, her second of the first quarter as the Huskies lead 16-10 after the first quarter! pic.twitter.com/uOFN8oGezp

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) November 16, 2024

In the second quarter, the Huskies pushed the lead to 10, powered by consecutive layups from Beaumont. UPEI fought back with a late 9-5 run to trim the halftime deficit to 29-23, despite shooting just 24.2 per cent from the field.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Lucy Beaumont with a tough finish in the post for two! Huskies lead 29-23 at the half. pic.twitter.com/eeDyvkCuOL

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) November 16, 2024

The third quarter proved pivotal. Each time UPEI attempted to close the gap, Fraser responded with timely three-pointers, including one that snuffed out a 6-0 Panthers run and restored an eight-point lead. Despite a valiant effort from Lawlor and Benitez, who hit key threes to keep UPEI within striking distance, the Huskies closed the quarter on a back-breaking 11-0 run, capped by five straight points from Black to make it 58-42 after 30 minutes.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Julia Black are you kidding me!?! Deep in her bag with the shifty step back three and the Huskies lead 58-42 after three quarters! pic.twitter.com/opYC6YiKiV

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) November 16, 2024

Saint Mary's clamped down defensively in the fourth, holding UPEI to just nine points to seal the 72-51 victory.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Clara Gascoigne drops a dime to Katelyn Power for the lay-in! Huskies improve to 6-0 with a 72-51 win over the Panthers! pic.twitter.com/FsSEpd7QEb

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) November 16, 2024

The Huskies six straight win improves their record to 6-0 on the campaign. They'll be back on home court on Saturday, Nov. 23, hosting the UNB REDS (3-3) at 6 p.m. at the Homburg Centre. GET TICKETS

The Panthers third straight loss drops their record to 3-3 on the season. UPEI will hit the road next weekend, visiting the Cape Breton Capers (5-0) on Friday, Nov. 22 and the STFX X-Women (3-3) on Saturday, Nov. 23.

Recap by Thomas Becker / UPEI Panthers Athletics
Photos by Eduardo Ibarra / UPEI Panthers Athletics