Left: Dandenong Rangers star Jacinta Hamilton shut down Bulleen Boomer Hollie Grima on Saturday night in a match-winning performance. Hamilton also managed to net 16 points and dominate the boards with nine rebounds. By Glen Atwell
A SECOND quarter time-out called by Dandenong Rangers coach Gary Fox sent his side on an 18-2 scoring frenzy against the Bulleen-Melbourne Boomers, winning the match 56-39.
The win also secured Dandenong the inaugural Michele Timms Cup, after going ahead 2-0 in the three game series on Saturday night.
A crowd of 1150 packed into the Dandenong Basketball Stadium to watch the local derby that would separate the two sides at the top of the Women’s National Basketball League ladder.
Just minutes into the first quarter, it was clear that defensive efforts would be the separator between the two sides.
The Rangers led 15-12 at the first break, before Bulleen netted consecutive baskets to level the scores at 23-23 with four minutes remaining in the second quarter.
But a stroke of genius from Dandenong coach Gary Fox would soon turn the tight margin into a match-winning lead for the Rangers.
Whatever he said during the time-out worked, as the Rangers piled on 18 points to the Boomers two in the next ten minutes of play.
The fiery display secured a healthy lead for the Rangers and proved decisive in the outcome of the match.
Fox’s match-up of Jacinta Hamilton on 190 centimetre Boomer Hollie Grima was game shaping, as she proved too quick for her end-to-end.
Hamilton netted 16 points and nine rebounds, at the same time restricting Grima, who never seemed settled, to just five points on the night.
Allison Tranquilli was the clear standout for the Boomers, adding 11 points.
Samantha Richards scored nine points and dominated the defensive board with seven rebounds for the Rangers.
No love is lost between the two Victorian sides that put on a physical display keeping the boisterous crowd on the edge of their seats.
Ranger Emma Randall was the only victim of the physical tussle, leaving the court during the final quarter after taking a heavy hit on the nose.
Boomer Sharin Milner celebrated her 100th WNBL match on the night, but the Rangers certainly spoilt the party, as she added just two points during her 27 minutes of court time.
Milner’s performance was a far cry from the 17 points she contributed during the first Michele Timms Cup match last month, when the Rangers won 74-71 after overtime.
The Rangers take on Canberra this Friday night at the Dandenong Basketball Stadium and basketball superstar, world number-one Lauren Jackson will be making a guest appearance alongside her Canberra teammates.
Jackson will be available for photographs and autographs from 6pm and will also be taking part in a half-time interview.
The game tips off at 7pm.
In other WNBL results, Canberra defeated Townsville 53-51, Canberra defeated AIS 72-46, Sydney Uni defeated Perth 80-53 and Sydney Uni downed Adelaide 89-83.
