Glen Atwell
THE Dandenong Rangers tasted defeat for the first time this season, losing 56-58 in a thrilling match against the Canberra Capitals at the Australian Institute of Sport on Friday night.
Realising the importance of a quick start against the reigning champions, the Capitals did not let the Rangers settle into their usual attacking style of play.
Skipping away to a fast lead, the Capitals looked like going into the first break ahead, but the Rangers managed to turn the momentum.
Carly Wilson and Caitlin Ryan fired up and when Jacinta Hamilton drove through the Capitals defence to score with seconds remaining, the Rangers enjoyed a 21-18 lead at quarter-time.
A slow second quarter followed, with both teams concentrating on stacking their defence in an attempt to slow the opposition.
The Rangers managed to hold on to a 35-32 lead at half-time.
Just like their previous six wins, the Rangers looked like holding out the Capitals long enough then running away to victory.
But the Capitals had other ideas, emerging in the second half as a seemingly new team.
The Capitals rediscovered their first quarter form, and a pair of Alana Beard threes allowed the Canberra side to lead 47-45 at the final break.
The Rangers have come from behind to snatch victories several times this season, and almost took home the points when Ryan attempted a three-pointer with seconds remaining.
The shot went awry and the Capitals secured an important, confidence-boosting victory.
Rangers head coach Gary Fox was disappointed after the match.
“We were in good shape when we were up 40-32 in the third,” he said. “Then we had a very ordinary last 15 minutes.”
The loss was put to rest the following night, when the Rangers easily accounted for the AIS side by 37 points, 89-52.
Meanwhile, Rangers forward Emma Randall was named the WNBL player of the week after her recent performance against the Perth Lynx, which included 26 points and 25 rebounds.
Randall will be hoping to get a call-up to the Opals squad for the Commonwealth Games, which will be named in the coming week.
