A dominant fourth-quarter performance from Glen Cox helped the UPEI Panthers secure a 75-66 win over the Memorial Sea-Hawks Saturday night.
The Sea-Hawks had no answer for the sophomore guard who torched them for 12 points in the decisive frame. Cox finished with a game-high 22 points on an efficient 8-of-13 shooting and added seven rebounds with five charges drawn.
Panthers head coach Darrell Glenn was quick to recognize his young guard and the work he's put in to become the reliable player he's transformed into.
"He's come a long way and he's worked his tail off," Glenn said. "He's always been able to score, but what I'm most proud of is the way he's defending, and that's a big step for him."
Cox said after the game that he knew he always had it in him to be a key contributor for an AUS team.
"I've been working out like crazy—seven days a week— trying to work on my all-around game, and I think today it showed that it paid off. I just wanted to show everyone what I can do and that I can be a good player in the AUS."
The Panthers got off to a strong start thanks to rookie big Jonas Kessler and veteran guard Dakelle Brooks who combined for 12 of the team's 21 first-quarter points.
After extending the lead to as many as eight early in the second, Nicholas Tuff and Boris Ristanovich outscored the Panthers 8-2 to make it a two-point game. Cole Long then tied it up before Tuff gave them the lead on a layup.
The Sea-Hawks were equally effective on the defensive end as they held UPEI scoreless for more than four minutes allowing them to storm in front, 38-28. Liai Tong was the catalyst in the run as he capped off six straight points with a dunk.
But the Panthers refused to give up and closed the half on an 8-2 run thanks to Cox, who got the ball rolling with four of those eight.
Brooks stepped up big in the opening minutes of the third quarter, where he showed off his scoring touch and kickstarted the Panthers' offence with seven straight points, as he pulled them ahead 44-40.
Before the season started, Glenn challenged Brooks, who finished with 14 points, five rebounds and two assists, to become a more consistent player and Saturday was a good start.
"He's the only fourth-year guy and he's been through a lot on this team," Glenn said. "We want to change our past and have a good season, so we're going to need him to play well for us."
After watching his teammate go off in the third, Cox decided to do the same in the fourth, where he scored the team's first nine points and matched the Sea-Hawks point for point, leading to a 75-66 victory in the end.
UPEI's defence was a big reason the game turned in their favour. They held the Sea-Hawks to just 27 per cent from the field in the second half and outscored them 40-26. Memorial finished the game 1-for-21 from beyond the arc, while all-star Cole Long was held in check as he finished with just eight points on 2-of-12 shooting with 13 rebounds.
The Panthers look for the weekend sweep when they take on the Sea-Hawks again Sunday at 3 p.m.