Above: Dandenong Rangers recruit Kathleen MacLeod was again inspirational for the Rangers, holding out Adelaide Fellas talent Erin Phillips for most of the second half. Right: Alison Downie sinks a free throw for the Rangers in front of official Daniel Banik. By Glen Atwell
THE Dandenong Rangers have started the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) season with back-to-back wins, downing the Adelaide Fellas 82-72 in a rough game at the Dandenong Basketball Stadium on Friday night.
Ready to compete in the World Club Championships this week, the win showed why the Rangers were boarding a flight to Russia just hours after the game to contest the championship against the best club teams from around the world.
But on Friday night, it was obvious the Rangers weren’t thinking about their impending international campaign, the players instead clearly focused on beating a side likely to contest a top-four position for most of the season.
Carly Wilson led the charge for the Rangers in the first quarter, scoring two field goals, a three-pointer and two free throws.
Fellas scoring machine Laura Summerton kept the Adelaide tally ticking over and had seven field goal chances, but only converted three as her side trailed by four points at the first break.
The second quarter belonged to the Rangers, outscoring the Fellas 22-9.
Dandenong talent Caitlin Ryan had the crowd on its feet after sinking two three-pointers almost from the car park.
Fellas guard Erin Phillips looked the only player capable of penetrating the Rangers defence and made the most of her attacking pushes into the key.
The Rangers skipped away to a 17-point lead at half-time and the contest seemed over.
But the Fellas pressed the Rangers and outscored their Dandenong rivals in both second-half quarters.
Kathleen MacLeod stepped up for the Rangers and kept Phillips at bay for most of the third quarter, but the Fellas managed to reduce the lead to 15 points at the three-quarter time.
In the final term the Fellas challenged the Rangers, at one stage narrowing the margin to eight points as the intensity lifted.
But just as quickly as the Fellas grabbed the scoring momentum it disappeared thanks to three-pointer from MacLeod as the Rangers marched on to record a 10-point victory.
Wilson was award her second most valuable player award for the season, while Phillips was no doubt the best on court for the Fellas.
After the game the Rangers boarded a flight to Russia, ready to compete in the club championships that began on Tuesday.
Rangers coach Gary Fox said it would be a thrill to compete against such strong clubs from across the world.
“We see local teams from Korea, Moscow and Beijing, then you see a Dandenong Rangers singlet and it’s a big thrill,” Fox said.
The Rangers return to WNBL action on 22 October when they take on the Townsville Fire at Dandenong Basketball Stadium.
