Spirit pip Rangers to stay unbeaten

Updated October 28, 2012 06:37:54

Bendigo battled out a tough contest with defending WNBL champion Dandenong before prevailing 82-80 on Saturday night to remain undefeated this season.

The Spirit trailed by just a point at half-time before the Rangers took advantage in the third period, extending their lead to seven points going into the final quarter.

But a strong performance saw the home side outscore the visitors by nine in the fourth to seal victory.

Chantella Perera, Kristi Harrower and Gabrielle Richards all posted 18 points for Bendigo, the latter adding 10 rebounds as well. Kelly Wilson had 14 points and eight boards for the Spirit.

Dandenong star Kathleen MacLeod was the stand-out for her team, leading all scorers with 21 points and adding seven assists and two rebounds, but her efforts were not quite enough.

The Capitals also pulled off a narrow win, escaping a late surge to beat Logan 71-68 in Canberra.

The Thunder stormed home with an 18-12 final period but the Caps had done just enough early on to stay in front.

Nicole Hunt had a team-high 20 points for Canberra, while Brigette Ardossi cleaned the glass to the tune of 11 rebounds to go with her 14-point haul.

The star of the show was Logan star Emma Langford, who went 8-for-18 for 24 points and pulled down 10 boards as she carried her team towards a fast finish.

Elsewhere, the Boomers blew out Townsville Fire 87-59 in a lopsided affair in Bulleen.

Elyse Panaluna made 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting to lead the hosts with 18 points, as Alice Kunek and Rachel Jarry chipped in with 15 apiece.

Townsville's Mia Newley and Kayla Standish were the lone bright sparks, posting 18 and 14 respectively in the yawning loss.

In Perth, Adelaide Link established a 12-point buffer over the West Coast Wave and never looked back, running out 75-65 winners.

For Adelaide, Jo Hill top-scored with 14 points, while Suzy Batkovic and Jennifer Screen had 12 points apiece.

The Wave relied heavily on Natalie Burton, who was 8-for-14 from the field for 16 points and pulled down 10 rebounds - Melissa Marsh scored 15 points and had five assists.

Tags: wnbl, sport, basketball, bendigo-3550, vic, australia

First posted October 27, 2012 22:42:24

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Derby win keeps Fire unbeaten

Updated October 28, 2011 22:49:13

Townsville kept its flawless start to the WNBL season going with an 86-74 victory over Queensland rival Logan Thunder on Friday night.

Meanwhile defending champion Bulleen came home with a wet sail to beat the Rangers 81-76 in Dandenong.

And Adelaide cruised past perennial battler AIS 86-59 in the nation's capital.

In Logan, the Fire capitalised on a 31-point opening quarter and a six-point buffer at half-time before finishing strong against the Thunder, who came into the weekend at 2-2.

Shanavia Dowdell had a game-high 20 points for the visitors, adding eight rebounds in her 33 minutes on court.

Mia Newley (16), Nadeen Payne and Jessica Foley (12 each) joined Dowdell in double-figure scoring for Townsville.

Logan's Cayla Francis was best of the hosts with 17 points, seven rebounds and four assists while Renae Camino had 15 points on 7-of-15 shooting.

Thunder guard Corinna Montgomery and forward Emma Langford added 11 points apiece.

The clash in Dandenong saw Bulleen pile on 29 points to the Rangers' 11 in the final quarter to steal victory and condemn the hosts to their second loss of the year.

Boomers and Opals centre Elizabeth Cambage led the visitors with a 24-point, 10-rebound double-double while Rachel Jarry (15, 11 boards) and Kerryn Harrington (14 points) also starred.

Dandenong was not lacking in firepower though, with Jenna O'Hea posting 24 points of her own as well as eight rebounds alongside Kathleen MacLeod (21 points) and Tegan Cummingham's double-double (12 points, 11 boards).

The Rangers were hotter from downtown, hitting 54 per cent of their three-pointers, but Bulleen made the most of its chances, forcing 19 turnovers for 11 extra points.

At the AIS Training Hall, Adelaide remained in touch with competition leaders Townsville and Sydney University with a cakewalk past AIS.

Sara Blicavs had 17 points and eight rebounds for the home side but that was easily neutralised by Suzy Batkovic's effort for the visitors that included 25 points, eight boards and a mammoth 11 steals.

Fellow Lightning big Abby Bishop went to town with 22 points and eight rebounds of her own, while Angela Marino (10 points, seven assists) and Amy lewis (10) were impressive.

Tags: wnbl, basketball, sport, logan-city-dc-4114, qld, australia

First posted October 28, 2011 22:38:46

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