Right: Rangers’ guard Gavin Illangakoon looks to dish the ball off during his side’s loss to Brisbane at Stud Road on Saturday night. 33644 By Paul Pickering
DANDENONG is on the brink of elimination from the SEABL finals race after a 118-92 loss to the Ash Cannan-led Brisbane Spartans on Sunday.
Cannan, who was one of the stars of Dandenong’s Big V league era, scored 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in an all-too-familiar performance as the ladder-leading Spartans steamrolled their hosts in the second half.
The loss left Dandenong needing to win each of its three remaining matches to have any chance of qualifying for the post-season.
The Rangers – still without gun import Dusty Jura – were brave early and trailed by just five points at halftime, with Jon Shepherd (23 points) and Matt Witherden (16, 8 rebounds) on target from beyond the arc.
But the star-studded Spartans – led by Cannan, Greg Vanderjagt (22, 11) and Thalo Green (18, 10) – broke the shackles after halftime and stormed away to win in a canter.
Brent Hobba (18, 8) was the main inside threat for the Rangers, while American swingman Vince Inglima (13) struggled to find his range.
Dandenong slumped to 9-15 for the season and will need the Bendigo Braves (11-14) to fall over in their remaining two games if it is to secure an unlikely finals berth.
For their part, the Rangers simply must win both of their games against Ballarat and Frankston this weekend.
Meanwhile, Dandenong’s Lady Rangers climbed into the finals bracket with back-to-back wins over Frankston and Brisbane.
Megan Moody was the dominant force behind both victories, scoring 25 points in the 68-64 win at Frankston on Saturday night and 31 in the 79-60 result at Stud Road on Sunday.
Amelia Todhunter, Chelsea Burns and Elyse Penaluna also had solid weekends.
The 9-9 Rangers are now in possession of sixth place, wedged between fifth-placed Albury Wodonga and Nunawading (both 9-9).
Dandenong hosts Ballarat on Saturday night.
