By Glen Atwell
A CRUSHING win over the AIS provided both sweet revenge and the sweetest celebration for the Dandenong Rangers at the Dandenong Basketball Stadium on Friday night.
The Rangers 91-45 demolition of the WNBL young-guns avenged an early season loss and made Emily McInerny’s 250th game even more memorable. The seven-time WNBL defensive player of the year was at her best.
Marianna Tolo netted the AIS the first two points of the game, before Dandenong embarked on a 24-point scoring frenzy.
By quarter-time, and after stealing the ball 10 times from the opposition, the score was 31-11 and the question was not who would win, but how big the winning margin would be.
Dandenong talent Jenna O’Hea dazzled in the second quarter and co-captain Caitlin Ryan ensured her presence was felt, nailing a long-range three-pointer to continue the Rangers’ domination of the AIS.
After last week’s sub-standard effort against the Sydney Flames, it was clear Dandenong coach Gary Fox had his side ready to roar. With a 52-25 lead at half-time, he still asked for more.
An early triple to Tolo proved to be the AIS’s only score of the third quarter, as Dandenong found first gear and destroyed its opposition with 30 points to three in the third-term.
As officials searched for the record books, the AIS fought back in the final quarter and outscored the Rangers 17-9.
O’Hea was again Dandenong’s most valuable player, sinking 10 from 13 field shots, scoring 24 points and collecting eight rebounds.
Larissa Cavanagh was next best, scoring 17 points and physically dominating her smaller AIS opponents.
Ryan, 12 points and five assists, was typically consistent.
Now with a strong sense of confidence and a real chance of making the WNBL playoffs, the Rangers play the top-of-the-ladder Canberra Capitals on Friday night.
Dandenong will have its work cut out. But after such a strong win, and with the home crowd cheering, the Rangers could force Canberra to stumble.
Tip-off is 7pm at the Dandenong Basketball Stadium.