Championships Women’s Final 8

Women’s Basketball

Alberta comes from behind to defeat Acadia

U SPORTS Staff

SYDNEY, N.S. (U SPORTS) – Jenna Harpe scored a game-high 29 points as the No. 2-seeded Alberta Pandas overcame a 13-point deficit to defeat the Acadia Axewomen, 61-57, in the second quarterfinal of the 2023 Protocase U SPORTS Women’s Final 8, presented by Bell. The Pandas trailed 57-44 with 7:17 to go but scored the game’s final 17 points to avoid the upset to the wildcards from Acadia.

Acadia led 13-11 after the first quarter and 27-25 at halftime. They used a 22-point third quarter to stretch their lead to 10 at 49-39 with one period to go. However, the Axewomen were unable to close the game out, as they missed their final 12 shots from the field.

The only other Panda in double figures was Claire Signatovich, who had a double-double with 10 points and a game-high 11 rebounds.

For Acadia, four players scored in double figures, led by Elizabeth Iseyemi’s 14. Julia Sylvester added 11 points, while AUS MVP Haley McDonald and Sarah Delory each netted 10. Delorey led the Axewomen on the boards with nine.

Harpe was named the Nike Team player of the game for Alberta, while Iseyemi took the honours for Acadia.

With the win, the Pandas advance to Saturday’s championship semifinal, where they will play the Queen’s game at 3 p.m. (Atlantic). Acadia will play UQAM in a consolation game on Friday at 6 p.m. (Atlantic).