The Sea-Hawks return home to take on the UPEI Panther's this weekend. The Sea-Hawks earned the sweep in two games against Dalhousie while on the road, but more importantly, they clinched their spot in the AUS playoffs. With 4 games left before the regular season ends, Memorial will be looking to iron out any lingering issues heading into the post season.
They'll be playing a Panther's team that has also clinched their playoff spot. In fact, the AUS playoff teams are all set in stone at this point, all that remains is to see where everyone will fall in the pecking order. It's usually at this point in the season that teams begin to bear down and get themselves in a post-season mindset, so expect this matchup to have that playoff atmosphere. Despite the relative lack of consequence of these two games, no team wants to start faltering on the eve of the tournament.
The Panther's come in having played pretty solid basketball in the second half. While averaging 59.1 points per game on the season, they've been better since January began. They've averaged 63.2 points per game since January and made up for a rough first half by winning 3 of 4 crucial 4 point games. While the offense has been improving, the real calling card for UPEI has been the defense. They rank 3rd overall in the AUS, while leading the conference in blocks per game.
That defense is going to be tested this weekend. It's been nearly a month since Memorial has lost a game, and they are now 7-1 since January. Though the team was hovering around minus 5 in the first half in terms of plus/minus, they have completely flipped that up. They are now plus 61 on the season, plus 75 in the second half alone. Head coach Mark English said coming into the Christmas break that he was always waiting for the offense to come together, and has it ever.
Memorial is led offensively by Sydney Stewart, 3rd leading scorer in the AUS and UPEI by Jenna Mae Ellsworth, who is 8th overall. If there's anything to indicate the Panther's might be in trouble, it's the 3 point shot. As a team, despite otherwise great metrics, the Panther's are a middle of the pack team when it comes to defending the 3 pointer. Lindsay Taylor (38.6%) and company have been launching 3's more and more in the second half at a pretty efficient clip. Keep an eye on Jane Baird as well. While typically more of a distributor, she is shooting 33% from 3 on the year. Though it is a small sample size, she does seem to pick her spots well.
You can catch all the games live on AUStv.ca. Saturday's game goes at 6:00 PM, while Sunday's tips off at 12:00 PM