Match reports courtesy of: wnbl.com.au
Bendigo/Dandenong
Kristi's return lifts Bendigo over Dandenong
Harrower, playing with Bendigo on a short-term contract, led all scorers with 23 points, supported by Kelly Wilson with 20 points and eight rebounds. Great Britain international Megan Moody led the Rangers with 18 points and seven rebounds.
It was a nervous start to the season for both teams with defence ruling in the opening quarter as Bendigo established a three point lead at the first break, 9-6.
A 22-12 second quarter gave the Spirit some breathing space and they managed to hold off Dandenong in an otherwise close match.
Fresh Bendigo recruits Marita Payne made five blocks and posted eight points for her new team, while Canadian Chelsea Aubry grabbed seven rebounds but failed to score. Dandenong’s American import Casey Nash added nine points and eight rebounds.
While the Spirit endeavour to secure Kristi Harrower on a season-long contract, Bendigo will face Adelaide Lightning next week before Dandenong travels to Sydney to take on the Flames.
BENDIGO SPIRIT 70 (Kristi Harrower 23, Kelly Wilson 20, Louise McLean 8, Marita Payne 8) bt
DANDENONG RANGERS 55 (Megan Moody 18, Alison Downie 10, Casey Nash 10)
Sydney/Perth
Sydney Uni hold off Perth
The ACUVUE Sydney Uni Flames have held off a second half onslaught from the Go for 2 & 5 Perth Lynx to record a 12-point triumph at Perry Lakes Stadium on Friday night.
Back on her old stomping ground, former Lynx MVP winner Deanna Smith top-scored for her new club in a glittering start to the new season. 2007/08 WNBL MVP Nat Porter also made a triumphant return to the league for Sydney Uni, matching Smith for 17 points. Texas A&M graduate Takia Starks posted a team high 15 points for the Lynx.
In the end, the home team were left to rue a poor first term that had them playing catch-up basketball for the remainder of the night against their much more fancied opponents.
A 22-7 first quarter appeared to set the scene for what looked to be a very bad night for the home side as they struggled in both offence and defence, allowing the Flames to control the key at both ends of the court.
Not helping their cause, Perth’s field shooting looked terrible at just 11% for the first quarter, landing just one basket from within the key.
Regaining some composure in the second term, the home side managed to get their defensive zone working and finally put some pressure on the Sydney shooters, but at the half time break a big deficit still lay ahead.
Trailing by 19 points, the nervous Lynx rallied to finally settle into their grove, heavily outscoring their opposition and pegging the margin back 50 - 54 at the last change. Their charge lead by new import Takia Starks who racked up ten points for the period.
But all their good work in the third term became unravelled early in the last period. With the Flames reverting to a zone defence, the Lynx were again forced to shoot from outside the key, lacking the composure that held them together in the third term.
Managing just two baskets for the first half of the final period, the Lynx also got into foul trouble early in the quarter losing Kate Malpass and Rebecca Mercer who both racked up five personal fouls.
The veteran heads of Sydney then took over to steady the ship to eventually claim a deserved victory.
Perth now have 9 day break to lick their wounds before hosting Bendigo at Perry Lakes Sunday 17th Oct from 3:30pm while Sydney finish their road double header with a game against Adelaide this weekend.
SYDNEY UNI FLAMES 73 (Deanna Smith 17, Natalie Porter 17, Mikaela Dombkins 15) bt
PERTH LYNX 61 (Takia Starks 15, Danielle Campbell 14, Melissa Marsh 11)
Courtesy of David MacRae for www.lmsc.com.au
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