NOVEMBER 30, 2004

Panthers Earn Mixed Results on Court

Liam McKenna Sports Editor

In hoops action, the Women’s Panthers dropped a 59-49 decision to Dalhousie on Saturday, putting an end to their two game winning streak. The ladies came out firing in the first half and it was looking to be pretty even heading into the break, until Dal’s Ryan MacKay (who finished with a team leading 17 points) dropped the long ball to give Dal a 32-29 lead. After the half, the Tigers exploded on a 13-2 run, and things looked grim for the Panthers.

Not to be outdone, though, the Panthers retaliated with a 11-0 run of their own, led by Lindsay Coade, who finished with a game high 19 points and 9 rebounds. The sudden offensive outburst would bring the Panthers to within five; unfortunately, it would be as close as they would get, as the Tigers fell into a defensive shell for the final two minutes, securing the win.

Also notable for their performances in the game were Melissa Anne Campbell, with 8 points, and Katie Andrews, with 8 assists. The loss brings the Panthers to 2-3.

- On the men’s side, rookies led the way as Engen “Bob the Engine” Nurumbi and Nathan Johnston combined for 37 points (Nurumbi 25pts 12 rbs; Johnston 12 pts). Also key in the Panther’s win was veteran Sherone Edwards, who pounded in 22 points and snagged 10 boards for the cause. Despite their impressive 56% shooting from the field in the first half, the Panthers only led by nine at the half against an impressive Dalhousie squad.

The Tigers would only continue to impress as the second half began. Blasting off on offense, the hungry Tigers would eventually lock horns with the Panthers on jumper by Tristan James with seven minutes remaining. Not o be outdone, the Panthers called on Johnston, who led a methodical and punishing offense which took the lead until the clock ran out.

Michelle Pridham

In volleyball, the Women’s Panthers lost to an overpowering UNB squad in 4 on Friday. The Panthers came out strong in the first, pounding UNB 25-18, however it was not to last; the second game, albeit close, would swing the momentum in favor of the Reds with a score of 24-26. UNB continued to roll out wins, completing the next two games by scores of 25- 20 and 25-17. Despite controlling the game statistically, with more kills, digs, and less missed serves, the Panther simply could not find enough to eke out the win.

The loss drops them to 3-9 so far on the year. Leading the way in the losing effort were Michelle Pridham, with 30 assists, 4 kills, and 2 aces, as well as Barb Vriends (14 kills) and Nikki Murphy (11 kills).

THE CADRE e 14

Players of the Week

Congratulations go out to Jennifer Champion of the women’s hockey Panthers and Engen Nurumbi of the men’s basketball team for their spectacular play which has earned them the distinction of being named the Cadre 's Players of the Week.

Nurumbi, an outstanding rookie from the Congo, has been making headlines for the men ever since he stepped foot on the court. His play has earned him the moniker “the Engine,” and he recently recorded another double-double on Saturday, giving him around umpteen on the season. The Engine certainly seems to be fine-tuned, and he is expected to continue his incredible play in the future, helping to lead the Panthers squad to play like a well-oiled machine. ;

Jennifer Champion needs no nickname as her surname explains all. The goalie for the Panthers hockey squad has been nothing short of miraculous in her play, allowing more than one goal in only one game so far this season while leading the Panthers to an undefeated record in TWHL play (4-0). Watch for the Champion to lead the squad to a championship this year. Congratulations again to the Cadre'’s Players of the Week. Go Panthers!

Jennifer Champion

ngen Nurumbi

Volleyball Women’s Panthers Swept on Weekend at Home

Liam McKenna Sports Editor —

The girls are having a rough time this year, dropping another two at home against UNB and UDM this weekend. They started out well on Friday, opening up the game winning the first set 25-18, but it went downhill from there. In a close second set, going to UNB 26-24, they just weren’t able to recuperate, and lost the final two sets. On Saturday, after a close first set going to Moncton 28-26, UPEI looked promising as they managed to take the second, 25-21. But they couldn’t keep the drive alive, falling in two consecutive sets, 25-20, 25-17. The women will get a break over Christmas to reorganize and recharge, looking for redemption January 8th-9th, as they visit UNB and UDM once again

Hockey... Continued from page 13

them 11-1 to open the season.

Spurred on by the superb goaltending of keeper Jennifer Champion, the Panthers hope to keep the streak alive for their next game, the o7th of November, in West Prince. Game details were not available at press time. ‘ On the men’s end of the rink, the boys hurdled a .500 record with a win on Saturday night, defeating UNB by a score of 4-2. The win brings their record to 6-5-3. Led on by the scoring prowess of captain Joel Ward who has amassed 19 points thus far, as well as forward Luc Chiasson with 18, the men look to continue building on their record after the Christmas break. They play again on the gnd of January, an away game against St. Thomas.