Dandenong Rangers forward Emma Randall dominated on Sunday afternoon, scoring 18 points and collecting nine rebounds during her side’s 83-42 win over the winless AIS team.By Glen Atwell
THE Dandenong Rangers dealt the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) students their 16th consecutive loss of the season, belting the Canberra side 83-42 in their weekend Women’s National Basketball League match.
More than 500 spectators packed into the Dandenong Basketball Stadium on Sunday to watch the Rangers confirm their status as unbackable championship favourites.
The Rangers showed no sign of a Christmas hangover against the AIS and cruised to a 26-11 lead at the first break.
But Rangers coach Gary Fox said there was still room for improvement.
“Our shooting was probably below standard for the entire match,” he said.
Returning from the Christmas break with a game against the winless AIS allowed the Rangers to iron out the festive season rust in a relatively low-pressure match.
The Rangers played without captain Carly Wilson, who woke up ill on the morning of the game.
Fox said it was the first game Wilson had missed for the Rangers.
“It was unfortunate, but just one of those things,” he said.
In an exciting moment for all at the Dandenong Basketball Stadium, star Ranger Jessica Bibby, who is returning from injury after a tough Women’s National Basketball Association season in the United States, suited up and trained with her side before the game.
Fox said it wouldn’t be too long before Bibby was back in the action.
“Jess is not allowed to play yet, but she had the gear on and we hope she will get some court time in the next few weeks,” he said.
With just six games remaining in the home and away season, Bibby is making her return at the right time.
“It would be a real bonus to have Jess back in the side,” Fox said.
“We need to win five out of six games to secure a home final and with our last four games on the road, that home final will be very important.”
The Rangers will play a double-header at the Dandenong Basketball Stadium this weekend, playing the Adelaide Fellas on Saturday at 7.30pm before taking on the Perth Lynx on Sunday at 2pm.
