By Glen Atwell
A SLOW start against the Dandenong Rangers was crucial to Waverley’s eventual 12-point demise at the Waverley Basketball Centre on Saturday night.
Dandenong led the Falcons by 15 points at half-time after a 32-20 second-quarter but a last quarter surge saw Waverley draw within five points with five minutes to play.
But the Rangers defence held strong, and was backed by a super offensive effort from Brent Hobba (35 points, 12 rebounds).
Ash Cannan scored 17 points, a tally made more impressive after he was involved in a sickening head clash with opponent Andrew Walter in the second quarter.
Walter required stitches in his mouth and the incident left Cannan missing half a tooth.
At the final buzzer, it was Dandenong’s 31 of 44 free throws that got the team across the line.
This Saturday night, Dandenong travels to Traralgon Basketball Stadium to play Latrobe City.