By JARROD POTTER
WNBL – Round 9
DANDENONG maintained its winning run over West Coast this season with an 86-77 win on Friday night, despite the Waves once again stretching out to an early lead.
The Rangers could not stop the power-packed guard duo of Deanna Smith (24 points) and Sarah Graham (16 points) early as the pair knocked down three after three at the WA Basketball Centre on Friday night.
It would take time for the Rangers to turn it around, but steady progress came as Penny Taylor (23 points, 7 rebounds), Kathleen Macleod (19 points, 6 assists) and Alice Kunek (17 points) found their own down-town range.
The Rangers three-shooters made their attempts count as they drilled nine-of-16 from beyond the arc, including four in a resounding 28-point third term which shut the door on the Waves’ getting back into the clash.
Team hustle around the Waves’ key proved the difference as Dandenong out-muscled the home side and snared 20 defensive rebounds alongside four blocks.
With three wins in their past four matches, Dandenong is steadily moving up the WNBL ladder as the Rangers moved into fifth with a 5-7 record heading into its final match of the year when Dandenong will host Sydney Uni on Saturday from 3pm.
