South Wrap | Women's Round 8

Featured image: Trent Moore Sports Photography

Northern Force made it five straight in NBL1 South with Keely Froling putting up 63 points and 24 rebounds while Sandringham Sabres kept winning after losing Steph Reid, Marena Whittle starred in Dandenong Rangers win and Melbourne Tigers kept rolling.

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SATURDAY

Geelong United (80) lost to Northern Force (88)

The Northern Force came from behind at three quarter-time to beat Geelong United 88-80 on the road to make it four straight wins.

United were back home at The Geelong Arena trying to build some momentum this season as they hosted a Force team having now won three straight to be looking ominous led by Keely Froling.

The Force started strongly with a 20-12 lead by quarter-time before still being on top 43-37 by half-time having led by as much as 15 during the second quarter.

But Geelong managed to get right back into the game with 21 points to 15 in the third quarter and then United managed to get out to a six-point lead early in the term.

The Force then responded with a 16-0 run to end up leading by as much as 11 points on the way to the eight-point road win to improve to 5-7 with a fourth consecutive win.

Keely Froling was again dominant with 34 points, 14 rebounds and two assists with Parker Hill adding 21 points, nine rebounds and four blocks, Sarah O'Neill 14 points, four assists, three rebounds and three steals, Millie Baker 10 points, six assists and four boards, and Rebekka Kalaydjiev nine points, eight assists and six rebounds.

Geelong are now 2-9 following the loss with Indi Bowyer finishing with 18 points while Lilly Rotunno also had 18 to go with seven assists and five rebounds, Jordan Vasquez 17 points, 14 boards and three assists, and Reagan Bass 16 points, 15 rebounds and three steals.

Kilsyth Cobras (68) lost to Melbourne Tigers (78)

The exciting momentum of the Melbourne Tigers continued with Mingling Chen and Shuyu Yang combining for 41 points while Zitina Aokuso had 17 and 20 in the 78-68 road win over the Kilsyth Cobras.

The Tigers arrived at Kilsyth Sports Centre having won five of the last six with Kilsyth trying to snap a six-game losing slide and it was the home team leading 15-13 by quarter-time.

Melbourne took over in the second quarter with 27 points to 15 on the way to leading 40-30 by half-time but Kilsyth kept things interesting with 20 points to 12 in the third frame.

The Tigers took back over in the final period with 26 to 18 on the way to the 10-point win to improve to a 6-5 record.

Mingling Chen produced 22 points and six rebounds on 9/14 shooting for Melbourne with Shuyu Yang adding 19 points, eight assists and four boards, and Zitina Aokuso 17 points, 20 rebounds, four assists and three steals.

Isa Brancatisano also had 10 points, five assists and four rebounds, and Hannah Giddy six points and four boards.

The Cobras are now 4-7 having lost the past seven with Emme Shearer producing 18 points, three rebounds and two assists with Nikita Young adding 18 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists and seven steals.

Catelyn Van Es also had nine points, five rebounds and two assists, Kylie Horstmeyer nine points on 4/6 shooting, and Lily Exton seven points, 10 rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Bendigo Braves (86) defeated Frankston Blues (78)

Hannah Hank was back for the Bendigo Braves and all five starters had a big impact in the 86-78 home win against the Frankston Blues.

It's been a mixed bag so far this season for the Braves just in terms of player availability and they had lost five straight ahead of hosting the Blues at Red Energy Arena.

Frankston had also lost three in-a-row coming into the match up and Bendigo had a good started with a 13-point lead early on and still leading 23-18 by quarter-time.

Frankston worked on top in the second frame with 19 points to nine to lead 37-32 heading into half-time but it was all the Braves from there with 54 points to 41 in the second half.

That saw Bendigo secure the eight-point win to improve to a 4-7 record with Olivia Pollerd draining 3/5 from downtown and 11/16 overall for 26 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, three blocks and two steals.

Hannah Hank returned with 20 points, nine rebounds and two assists with Ahlise Hurst adding 14 points, three boards, two assists and two steals, Mia Harvey 13 points, two rebounds and two assists, and Kelly Wilson 10 points, eight boards, eight assists and two steals.

Frankston are now 5-7 following a fourth straight defeat with Megan Mullings finishing with 17 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Pahlyss Hokianga also had 16 points, four rebounds and three assists, Lou Brown 13 points and 12 boards, Sianni Martin nine points and four rebounds, and Emily Monaghan eight points and four assists.

Dandenong Rangers (73) lost to Knox Raiders (91)

Paige Bradley put up 27 points and the Knox Raiders made it three straight wins with the 91-73 road victory against the Dandenong Rangers.

The Rangers were back home at Dandenong Basketball Stadium trying to avoid a third straight defeat with the Raiders looking for the third consecutive victory.

It was a fast start from Knox with an early 11-point lead and still being up 27-21 by quarter-time before another 20 points to 15 in the second frame to head into half-time leading 47-36.

It was another 19 points to 15 in the third quarter and 25 to 22 in the fourth for the Raiders to end up winning by 18 to improve to an 8-4 record in their championship defence.

Bradley produced 27 points and four assists with 10/19 field goal shooting for Knox with Haliegh Reinoehl contributing 15 points, four rebounds and two assists, and Rachel Bell 13 points on 4/7 shooting.

Alicia Froling also had 11 points, six rebounds and two steals, Shaneice Swain 10 points, nine boards, three assists and two steals, and Agnes Emma-Nnopu eight points, 12 rebounds and two assists.

Dandenong have now lost three on the trot to be 3-9 with Marena Whittle putting up 19 points, seven rebounds and two steals while Imogen Rock contributed 14 points and three boards, Cat MacGregor 10 points, Haley Peters eight points, seven rebounds and four assists, and Adrianna Smith eight points, eight boards, four assists and two steals.

Nunawading Spectres (56) lost to Sandringham Sabres (85)

Even with losing Steph Reid early in the second half the Sandringham Sabres produced another dominant performance to make it eight wins in-a-row beating the Nunawading Spectres 85-56.

Reid did leave the game early in the second half and didn’t return for the Sabres at Nunawading Basketball Centre but not before having a big say in setting up Sandringham in a match-winning position.

The league-leaders had 28 points to 16 in the first quarter before leading the Spectres by 14 points at half-time, 23 at three quarter-time and going on to score the 29-point victory.

It's eight wins in-a-row now for Sandringham to remain clear in top spot at 10-1 with the Spectres slipping to 5-7 having now lost seven of the last eight.

Reid was having a significant impact with 18 points, eight assists and four rebounds on 3/4 three-point shooting before going off early in the second half and not returning.

Madison Ryan continued on, though, and finished with 27 points, seven rebounds and six assists with 12/22 field goal shooting while Maddie Angus added 13 points and five boards.

Isis Lopes also had eight points and two steals, and Lucy Cochrane seven points, 10 rebounds, four blocks and two assists.

Kylee Blacksten top scored for Nunawading with 16 points and eight rebounds while pulling down five of those boards at the offensive end.

Tsz Kwan Li added 13 points, two rebounds and two assists for Nunawading, Riley Lupfer eight points, four boards and three assists, and Teagan Potter five points, three assists, three steals and two rebounds.

Ringwood Hawks (72) lost to Ballarat Miners (107)

The Ballarat Miners got back to winning ways in emphatic style with the 107-72 road win against the Ringwood Hawks with Abbey Wehrung, Malia Fisher and Casey Samuels combining for 64 points.

The Hawks were back home at The Rings attempting to avoid a seventh straight loss with Ballarat looking to bounce back from a last up loss to the Melbourne Tigers.

Ballarat started well to be leading 24-17 by the end of the first quarter and then put up another 32 to 22 in the second frame to head into half-time leading 56-39.

The Miners continued to be in control with another 28 points to 18 in the third period and 23 to 15 in the fourth before scoring the 35-point win to improve to a 7-4 record.

Abbey Wehrung ended up with 22 points, seven assists and four rebounds, Malia Fisher 22 points, seven boards, four assists, two steals and two blocks, and Casey Samuels 20 points and nine assists with 5/9 three-point shooting.

Camille Hobby added 16 points, eight rebounds and five assists with Elissa Brett contributing 12 points, five boards and two assists, and His Yeh Liu seven points, four assists, three steals and two rebounds.

Ringwood are now 1-11 having lost the last seven with Taylor Mole finishing with 24 points and seven rebounds with Ally Bates adding 15 points and four boards, Honey Kaur 14 points and five rebounds, and Chelby Koker 14 points, four assists and three boards.

Eltham Wildcats (102) defeated Hobart Chargers (77)

The Eltham Wildcats got big contributions right across the board on the way to the 102-77 home win over the Hobart Chargers to make it four wins in-a-row.

The Wildcats were back home at Montmorency Secondary College trying to keep their momentum going as they hosted a Chargers team having lost two of the past three.

It was a hot start from Eltham with 32 points to 27 in the first quarter and then another 24 to 15 in the second period saw the Wildcats go into half-time leading 56-42.

Eltham remained on top through the second half with another 17 points to 12 in the third term, and 29 to 23 in the fourth on the way to the 25-point victory.

The Wildcats have now won four straight to sit on a 10-2 record with Jayde Cadee top scoring with 20 points and three assists with 6/10 three-point shooting.

Bec Pizzey also had 13 points, 12 rebounds and three steals, Sarah Elsworthy 12 points, three assists and two steals, Emily Maltezos 12 points and five assists, Kennedy Dickie 10 points, five rebound and three assists, Lil Dart nine points, six boards and four assists, and Sara-Rose Smith eight points and six rebounds.

Hobart are 4-8 following the defeat with Tyia Singleton finishing with 24 points and 14 rebounds with Sharna Thompson adding 24 points and three assists, Chloe Broomhall eight points and seven rebounds, and Portia Chopping seven points and six assists.

Mount Gambier Pioneers (81) lost to Casey Cavaliers (84)

The Casey Cavaliers came from behind to score the game's last six points for a dramatic 84-81 road win over the Mount Gambier Pioneers.

The Pioneers were back home at Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre looking to regain their early season momentum while the Cavs arrived trying to maintain their hold on a top four position.

The Pioneers opened up an eight-point lead in the opening term following a 10-0 run and then the home team were still on top 46-42 by half-time.

Casey took control in the third period with 22 points to 11 after going on a 12-0 scoring run but the swings continued and with 1:30 remaining it was the Pioneers leading by three.

The home team wouldn’t score again with a string of costly turnovers with the Cavaliers taking advantage with two free throws to Dallas Loughridge and then finishes going to the basket from Chelsea D'Angelo and Sam Bowman to secure the three-point win.

The Cavaliers are now 9-3 following the win with Sam Bowman delivering 25 points, 11 rebounds, three steals and three blocks with 12/16 field goal shooting.

Dallas Loughridge also ended up with 24 points, five rebounds and three assists, Chelsea D'Angelo 18 points, three boards, two assists and two steals, and Sharne Robati 14 points and 12 rebounds.

The Pioneers are now 6-6 having lost six of the past seven with Abby Prohaska finishing with 19 points, eight rebounds and two steals with Carla Pitman contributing 18 points and seven rebounds.

Lara Edmanson also had 14 points and eight rebounds, Tilly Boler 14 points, seven boards and three steals, and Grace Champion nine points, five rebounds and three steals.

SUNDAY

Waverley Falcons (72) defeated Geelong United (67)

The Waverley Falcons held out a fast finishing Geelong United to make it back-to-back wins with the 72-67 home victory.

The Falcons were playing their lone game of the weekend while Geelong were coming off losing to the Northern Force at home the previous night.

Waverley took advantage of their freshness with a 30-14 first quarter and then went into half-time still in control leading 51-32.

Geelong did hit back with an 11-0 run in the third period but Waverley took back control with six straight points themselves before going back up by 12 and then scoring the five-point victory.

Waverley improves to 6-5 with the win with Maddi Utti ending up with 17 points, 12 rebounds and three assists.

Tayla Dalton also had 15 points and four assists, Sophia Locandro 14 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals, Liana Kinkela 12 points and nine boards, and Katelyn Shumate 11 points, two rebounds and two assists.

Geelong are now 2-10 with the two losses this weekend with Lilly Rotunno top scoring with 17 points and two assists with Jordan Vasquez contributing 14 points, 13 rebounds and three steals, Reagan Bass 16 points and nine boards, and Indi Bowyer 13 points, four rebounds and three assists.

Keilor Thunder (90) lost to Dandenong Rangers (95)

The Dandenong Rangers got 31 points from Marena Whittle and pulled off a significant upset to beat the Keilor Thunder 95-90.

The Thunder were making their lone appearance of the weekend at Keilor Stadium on a four-game winning streak ahead of hosting a Rangers team fresh off losing the previous night to the Dandenong Rangers.

Keilor started well to lead 23-17 by quarter-time and then pushing out to a 13-point advantage but Dandenong grabbed the momentum going into half-time to lead 45-40.

The Rangers were then still clinging to a one-point lead at three quarter-time and then after Keilor briefly were back on top, Dandenong had the answers with 30 points to 26 in the final term for the five-point victory.

The Rangers snap a three-game losing slide to improve to a 4-8 record with Marena Whittle delivering 31 points, eight rebounds and four steals on 10/15 shooting from the field and 5/6 from downtown.

Haley Peters also had 26 points, eight rebounds and three assists, Imogen Rock 17 points, four boards, three steals and two assists, and Manny Puoch 15 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and three steals.

Keilor are now 7-5 following the defeat with Maddy Rocci top scoring with 22 points, nine assists and seven rebounds with Izzy Wightman adding 20 points and two assists.

Issie Bourne also had 17 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and three steals with Macey Boyle contributing 13 points and two steals, and Tess Heal seven points, four rebounds and two assists.

Diamond Valley Eagles (109) defeated Bendigo Braves (93)

Abbey Ellis was spectacular with 37 points, 12 rebounds and five assists but the Diamond Valley Eagles had to see off 38 points with eight three balls in third quarter from the Bendigo Braves before securing the 109-93 win.

The Eagles were back home after splitting their Tasmanian road trip last weekend and hosted the Braves at Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre with Bendigo fresh off a win at home the previous night against the Frankston Blues.

Diamond Valley lit it up with 31 points on 6/11 three-point shooting in the first quarter with Ellis scoring 15 of those points and Erin Riley 11 before they were still up 13 at the half.

But Bendigo lit it up with 38 points and 8/9 three-point shooting in the third frame before the fresher Diamond Valley pulled away again for the 16-point victory to improve to 9-3 on the season.

Ellis had a spectacular performance for Diamond Valley with 15 points to get rolling in the first quarter and another 10 in the second, five in the third and finally seven in the fourth.

She finished with 37 points, 12 rebounds and five assists with 14/19 field goal shooting to go with 6/9 from downtown and 3/5 at the foul line.

Alex Sharp was also back into the Eagles line-up and produced 26 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals with Erin Riley adding 20 points, five boards, five assists and two steals, and Tayha Watkins 14 points, six rebounds, six assists and two steals.

Bendigo did dig deep to make a game of it with that remarkable third quarter but couldn’t quite finish the job to now sit on 4-8 for the season having split their weekend double.

Hannah Hank returned from Australian Gangurrus 3x3 duties and was big for the Braves with 27 points and 11 rebounds on 11/18 shooting with Olivia Pollerd draining 5/7 from downtown for 26 points, six rebounds and three assists.

Kelly Wilson had another 17 points and 13 assists while Mia Harvey contributed 13 points on 3/7 three-point shooting.

Ballarat Miners (94) lost to Hobart Chargers (98)

Abbey Wehrung almost shot the Ballarat Miners to a second win for the weekend but the Hobart Chargers held firm to bounce back with the thrilling 98-94 win.

The two teams came into the clash at The Minerdome Stadium with completely contrasting Saturday night results with the Miners beating the Ringwood Hawks by 35 points while the Chargers lost to the Eltham Wildcats by 25.

None of that mattered once they hit the floor on Sunday with the Miners narrowly leading 22-21 by quarter-time before 32 points to 24 from Hobart in the second term saw the visitors leading 53-46 at the half.

It was still a seven-point lead for Hobart by three quarter-time only for Ballarat to fire back with a 10-0 run before Hobart responded once more to be leading by 13 with two minutes to play after a bucket to Tishara Morehouse.

Ballarat responded with the next eight points including a pair of three balls from Wehrung but Hobart responded with the next four including a basket from Portia Chopping to secure the four-point road victory.

The Chargers improve to 5-8 on the season after splitting the road double with Sharna Thompson going 13/14 at the foul line for 32 points, 10 rebounds and four assists.

Tishara Morehouse added 23 points, five steals, four rebounds and four assists, Portia Chopping 19 points, two boards and two assists, and Chloe Broomhall 16 points, six rebounds and two steals.

The Miners are now 7-5 following the home defeat with Camille Hobby delivering another 26 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Abbey Wehrung finished with 21 points, 11 assists, four rebounds and two steals with 5/8 three-point shooting while Elissa Brett added 18 points, eight boards and seven assists, Laura Taylor 12 points with 4/8 shooting from deep, and Malia Fisher 11 points and eight rebounds.

Sandringham Sabres (79) defeated Kilsyth Cobras (73)

The Sandringham Sabres overcame the absence of Steph Reid and Klara Wischer along with a six-point half-time deficit to secure the 79-73 home win to make it nine in-a-row.

The Sabres maintained top spot with an eighth straight win beating the Nunawading Spectres on Saturday but Reid did get hurt early in the second half and she joined Wischer on the sidelines for Sunday's match up at Southern Basketball Stadium.

The Cobras arrived after losing at home to the Melbourne Tigers the night before but it was the Sabres leading 26-25 by quarter-time only for Kilsyth to work on top with 24 points to 17 in the second term.

That saw the Cobras leading 49-43 but Sandringham restricted them to nine points in the third frame before then pushing away with 24 points to 15 in the final term on the way to the six-point victory.

Sandringham have now won nine straight to improve to an 11-1 record with Lucy Cochrane putting up 17 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and three blocked shots on 7/8 shooting from the field and 3/4 at the foul line.

Lili Long added 16 points and four rebounds, Isis Lopes 11 points, seven assists and five rebounds, Josie Agnew 11 points and six assists, and Maddie Angus 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Kilsyth are now 4-8 following a pair of weekend defeats with Nikita Young finishing with 20 points, six rebounds and four assists, Emme Shearer 15 points and four assists, Lily Exton nine points, 13 rebounds, three assists and two steals, and Catelyn Van Es nine points, five boards and five steals.

Frankston Blues (68) lost to Northern Force (72)

The Northern Force went on a late run of seven straight points to break the deadlock and put them on the course to the 72-68 win over the Frankston Blues to make it five straight wins.

Both teams had played on Saturday night with the Blues losing on the road to the Bendigo Braves while the Force won a fourth straight match to start their road double beating Geelong United.

The Force started impressively with 23 points to 12 in the opening quarter before Frankston hit back at Jubilee Park Stadium to cut the lead of the visitors at half-time to 38-34.

It was back to a two-point margin by three quarter-time and then scores were all tied at 65-65 with 2:30 on the clock after Pahlyss Hokianga scored.

From there the Force took charge starting with a layup to Parker Hill before she backed up with another and then Keely Froling hit two free throws and Rebekka Kalaydjiev hit another for a 7-0 run to secure the four-point win in the finish.

The Force have now won five in-a-row to improve to a 6-7 record with Keely Froling delivering another 290 points, 10 rebounds and three assists with 10/10 shooting at the foul line.

Parker Hill added 12 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and five steals, Rebekka Kalaydjiev 11 points, six boards, six assists and two steals, Josie Pinkerton eight points and three rebounds, and Sarah O'Neill eight points, five assists and three boards.

The Blues are now 5-8 after the double loss weekend with Sianni Martin finishing with 23 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Pahlyss Hokianga also had 13 points and two rebounds, Megan Mullings nine points, 11 boards, three steals, two assists and two blocks, and Lou Brown nine points and eight rebounds.