South Spotlight | Ellis leads Eagles over Rocci-less Thunder

Featured image: Rachel Louise - Rachel Louise Photography @rachellouisephotographyau

The return of Maddy Rocci didn’t quite eventuate for Keilor Thunder and the Diamond Valley Eagles led by Abbey Ellis took advantage to bounce back with a strong 93-68 NBL1 South home victory.

Both teams came into the match up at Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre coming off losses with the Eagles losing on Sunday to the Knox Raiders while the Thunder went down to the Ballarat Miners on Anzac Day.

Keilor were hoping for the return of Rocci following her training camp experience with the Toronto Tempo of the WNBA, and she was in the building, but red tape got in the way of her being able to suit up.

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Diamond Valley had their stars on deck and they continued to build on their lead throughout the evening on the way to the eventual 25-point victory to improve to a 5-2 record on the season with Keilor now 3-4 but with the return of Rocci on the horizon.

Abbey Ellis scored 11 of her 25 points in the third quarter and ended up shooting 9/15 from the floor, 4/8 from downtown and 3/4 at the foul line in the win for Diamond Valley.

Tayha Watkins added 15 points, three rebounds and two assists for the Eagles with 5/6 shooting along with going 4/4 at the free-throw line.

Alex Sharp added 13 points, eight rebounds and four assists, Erin Riley 13 points, seven boards, four steals, four blocks and two assists, Shannon Dufficy nine points and five rebounds, and Isis Beh eight points, five boards, two assists, two steals and two blocks.

Keilor battled hard to try and get a win before Rocci is able to suit up again with Lara McSpadden finishing with 18 points, seven rebounds and two assists while Izzy Wightman ended up with 17 points, three steals and 3/6 three-point shooting.

Tess Heal also had 17 points, five assists and four rebounds, and Macey Boyle eight points, three boards, two assists and two steals.

Both teams came into the match off losses and Diamond Valley had the better of the first quarter by making a focus of going inside where they scored 18 of their 23 points.

The Eagles went into quarter-time leading 23-18 having led by as much as 10 along the way before they put up another 30 points to 19 in the second frame.

That saw Diamond Valley leading 53-37 going into the half-time break with Abbey Ellis having 13 points to her name.

Keilor were battling hard and got a combined 23 points from Lara McSpadden and Izzy Wightman, but they were just lacking that bit of extra firepower with Maddy Rocci unable to suit up.

Ellis then put up 11 points on her own in the third quarter and Diamond Valley added another 24 to the 18 from Keilor which saw them open up a 22-point lead by three quarter-time.

That blew out to 27 in the fourth period too and eventually the Eagles went on to win by 25 and to improve to 5-2 in the process.

Diamond Valley now have the short turnaround to taking on the Nunawading Spectres on the road on Sunday with the Thunder returning home also on Sunday against Geelong United where their fingers will be crossed Maddy Rocci can return.

NBL1 SOUTH 2026 SEASON | ROUND 5

DIAMOND VALLEY EAGLES 93 (Ellis 25, Watkins 15, Riley 13, Sharp 13)

KEILOR THUNDER 68 (McSpadden 18, Wightman 17, Heal 17)