Caitlin Ryan was instrumental in the Dandenong Rangers’ defeat of the Adelaide Fellas in the semi-final on Saturday. Ryan nailed two important three-point baskets to help send the Rangers into the WNBL grand final. Picture: Stewart Chambers.By Glen Atwell
CAITLIN Ryan’s buzzer-beating, three-point ‘long bomb’ from somewhere near the Dandenong Basketball Stadium car park brought the home crowd to its feet for more than one reason at quarter-time on Saturday.
Not only did Ryan swish a near half-court shot with a second remaining, but the Dandenong Rangers were finally back in action.
It was the Rangers’ return to form – after losing four of the last five games of the season – that toppled the Adelaide Fellas 75-70 in their Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) major semi-final and thrust Dandenong into a third consecutive WNBL grand final.
Ryan’s trademark shot had the 1600-plus crowd lifting the roof, and even the Adelaide supporters could not help but applaud as the Rangers skipped away to an eight-point lead at quarter-time.
The momentum swung the Fellas way in the second quarter as the intensity lifted with both sides trying to assert their physical dominance on the match.
The Fellas outscored the Rangers by five points to trail 42-39 at the main break.
Scoring was a struggle in the third quarter. The Rangers’ defensive pressure held the Fellas to just nine points and Dandenong managed to score 14 and stretch the lead to what looked to be a game-winning margin.
Dandenong defender Emily McInerny held Fellas match-winner Erin Phillips scoreless in the third quarter as Tami Willey was forced to shoulder most of the Fellas’ scoring opportunities.
The Rangers’ eight-point lead was immediately under siege when Jenni Screen hit a three-point basket and the Fellas forced the difference to a point.
Ryan scored three baskets from 12 shots and was instrumental for the Rangers in the closing minutes of the game.
She sank another three-point basket and forced an offensive foul to help seal the victory and give the Rangers a chance at winning three consecutive WNBL championships.
Just one more game stands between the Dandenong Rangers and rewriting the WNBL history books.
The Fellas return to Adelaide to take on the Canberra Capitals in the preliminary final this weekend, with the winner to take on the Dandenong Rangers in Dandenong for the title on Saturday, 18 February at 4pm.
