Dandenong’s Tegan Cunningham, right, pictured playing against the Sydney Uni Flames, had an outstanding game against Logan, getting 14 points and 12 rebounds. 74551
By Jarrod Potter
DANDENONG goes back-to-back this weekend as they travel to Bendigo on Friday before returning home to face West Coast on Sunday afternoon.
Dandenong will want to forget their last journey up the Calder Freeway after getting smashed 92-63 just before the holiday break.
They’ve had better luck against the West Coast this season, defeating the Waves 90-65 in their first encounter in October.
It wasn’t the ideal start to 2012 the Dandenong Rangers would have hoped for, taking a five point loss to the Logan Thunder.
The Rangers were in the hunt all match, going into the final break down by one point, but their inaccurate shooting cost them dearly as they lost 75-71.
Jenna O’Hea top scored for the Rangers with 15 points, Tegan Cunningham impressed with 14 points and 12 rebounds from increased court time and Krista Phillips was also dominant in the air with 11 points and 14 rebounds.
Dandenong coach Mark Wright said the team did everything they could to win except sink the shots when needed.
“We did everything but win,” Wright said. “Statistically we were the better team, but we shot poorly.
“You can play as hard as you like and tough as you like, but if you can’t put the ball in the hole, you can’t win.
“We had 10 extra shorts and were good on the boards and defence.
“We’ve got plenty of good scorers and when it comes down to the crunch, we’ve got to put the ball in the hole.” Sitting on the edge of a finals spot, Wright said the Rangers have to improve to find a way back into the top five.
“Playing ourselves into a precarious position on the ladder now, Wright said.
“We’ve had plenty of chances to win but we’ve shot ourselves in the foot.”
Knocking off fifth placed Bendigo is part of that challenge which Wright believes the team is able to achieve.
“They (Bendigo) are a very tough unit and the last time we played them they beat us by 30.
“We’re a very good team and a talented team and if we shoot the ball well, we’ll have a chance of winning.”
