Jacob’s scoring, Das’ defence leads SMU to 65-62 win over UPEI

HALIFAX, N.S. – Saint Mary's wing Angong Jacob scored 12 of her game-high 18 points in the second half, leading the Huskies to a 65-62 win over the UPEI Panthers in Atlantic University Sport women's basketball action on Saturday afternoon at the Homburg Centre.

A day after a tough 73-62 loss, the Huskies made a lineup change, with first year guard Sophia Das (Halifax, NS) getting the first start of her career and being tasked with defending Panthers star wing Grace Lancaster (Fall River, NS). Das' defensive prowess made an impact all game long, as she was able to limit Lancaster to just 12 points on 4/12 shooting from the floor.

"Coach Munro prepared me for that matchup before this game, I just knew I had to lock her down so that was my goal today," said Das, who also hit a first-half three-pointer, in a post-game interview. "My confidence comes from my defence, I know that if I'm working hard on the defensive end, then my offence will come from that energy."

It was the Panthers who opened up an early lead, with five quick points from guard Devon Lawlor (Millcove, PEI) putting the visitors ahead 10-4. But the Huskies hung around, with four start points from Angong Jacob, followed by Das' three-pointer cutting the UPEI lead to 13-11.

That's when Huskies forward Emily Dikdan (Sudbury, ON) took over, scoring the final five points of the quarter to give the Huskies a 18-15 lead, before Panthers guard Ella Simmons (Fredericton, NB) hit a last-second jump shot to bring the score to 18-17 after the first quarter.

First year Huskies' Ally McLean (Dartmouth, NS) and Kalli Georgoulias (Mississauga, ON) hit back-to-back three pointers to open the second quarter and Georgoulias added two free-throws to extend the lead to 26-19.

Saint Mary's lead continued to grow throughout the second quarter, with a pair of lay-ups from Lauren Armstrong (Canberra, Australia) and Emily Dikdan extending their advantage to 32-22.

Panthers guard Karla Benitez (Charlottetown, PEI) scored a running lay-in to break the Huskies run, but the final play of the half was a hilarious highlight as Saint Mary's guard Molly Healy (St. John's, NL) drove the paint, lost her footing, and while sitting on the floor was still able to get a pass over to forward Jordaine Francis (Calgary, AB) for a buzzer-beating lay-up.

In the third quarter, Emily Dikdan continued her great play, scoring six straight points to give the Huskies their largest lead of the game, 40-27. But the Panthers came-back, with a three-pointer from Lancaster, followed by baskets from first year forwards Ingrid Khuong (Quebec, QC) and Regan Cornford (Chateguay, QC), and a jump shot from Devon Lawlor capping a 12-0 run and cutting the score to 40-39.

Kalli Georgoulias snapped the run with her second three of the night, followed by a Jacob three, and Healy lay-up to create some breathing room on the scoreboard, as the Huskies took a 50-43 lead into the fourth quarter.

The Panthers star duo of Lancaster and Lawlor combined to score the first nine points of the fourth quarter, tying the game at 52-52, before Angong Jacob hit an and-one lay-up to restore the Huskies lead. UPEI answered with a three-pointer from guard Samantha Zoffranieri (Brampton, ON), the first of her three straight fourth quarter threes off the bench. But the Huskies kept control, thanks to four points from Jacob and two a piece from Healy and Dikdan, with a Jacob spinning lay-in putting them ahead 63-58.

Zoffranieri's third straight three cut it to 63-61, and a Khuong free-throw brought the Panthers within a point, but Emily Dikdan hit a pair of free-throws to secure the 65-62 Huskies win.

"It's a huge win for us, I think we'll use this energy to get some more wins and hopefully do well in the AUS Championship," said Das post-game.

Angong Jacob led all scorers with 18 points – a night after dropping a career high 25 – and added four rebounds. Emily Dikdan added 17 points and Kalli Georgoulias scored 12 off the Huskies bench.

Devon Lawlor led the Panthers with 15 points, while Lancaster added 12.

The Huskies win snaps a three-game losing streak, and improves their record to 5-9 on the season. Saint Mary's will hit the road next weekend, visiting the Cape Breton Capers (2-13) on Friday, Jan. 30 at 6 p.m., and Saturday, Jan. 31 at 2 p.m. in Sydney, N.S.

The Panthers loss drops their record to 10-6. UPEI will be back on home court next weekend, hosting the Acadia Axewomen (10-4) at 6 p.m. in Wolfville, N.S.

Recap by Allan April / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics
Photos by Eduardo Ibarra / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics