Dandenong Rangers centre Emma Randall sets up a strong defence in front of an opponent. Randall finished Saturday night’s game with 10 rebounds. Picture: Stewart ChambersBy Glen Atwell
THE biggest game of the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) season so far will be played at the Dandenong Basketball Stadium on Saturday night.
Local rivals Dandenong Rangers and the Bulleen Boomers will do battle in the second match of the Michele Timms Cup, which Bulleen must win if it is to keep its hopes of winning the cup alive.
Rangers coach Gary Fox said the rivalry between the two sides was alive and well.
“This will be the biggest game of the regular season. It’s going to be huge,” he said.
With the serious prospect of the ‘full house’ sign swinging from the Dandenong Basketball Stadium doors before the tip-off, Fox urges all supporters to get there early.
“To sell out a regular season game would be wonderful,” he said.
After the Rangers’ controversial 74-71 victory in the first match of the best-of-three cup series last month, the Boomers will be ready to level the series and grab first spot on the WNBL ladder when the game starts at 7.30pm.
Last Saturday night, the Rangers outclassed the Perth Lynx 90-62 and continued their stellar WNBL season at the Dandenong Basketball Stadium.
The Lynx came close to beating the Boomers at the Veneto Club on Friday night, but went down 83-79 in the final minute of play.
With the ability to challenge the reigning WNBL champions, the Lynx failed to provide any real danger to Dandenong.
Ahead 29-19 at quarter-time, the Rangers never looked under threat and improved on the lead at every break.
Jacinta Hamilton and Kathleen McLeod led the way for the Rangers, Hamilton collecting 28 points and 10 rebounds and McLeod finishing with 24 points.
For the Lynx, Katherine Hanks top-scored with 20 points and Deanna Smith contributed 16.
