Records rewritten

By Paul Pickering
DANDENONG dished out the biggest hiding in WNBL history on Saturday night, breaking out of a nine-game losing streak to embarrass the Perth Lynx 110-38.
The Rangers entered the clash just one win ahead of the ninth-placed Lynx, but produced one of the most stunning results of the season by thumping Perth on its home court.
The 72-point win eclipsed a 20-year-old league record of 69, while Dandenong’s score of 110 was the seventh highest on the WNBL books.
The visitors shot an outstanding 56 per cent from the field – a season high – and converted 28 of 35 free-throw attempts.
The individual stats were no less impressive, with six Rangers registering double-figure points.
Caitlin Cunningham led the way with 18, while Faith Probst (16), Alison Downie (16), Jenni Benningfield (14), Caitlin Ryan (14) and Katie Ebzery (13) also shared the spoils.
The Rangers led by just seven at the first break, before outscoring the Lynx 91-26 from thereon in.
The astonishing numbers were made more impressive by the fact that Dandenong pushed Adelaide all the way in a 70-67 loss the previous night.
And the signs may have been there early against the Lightning, when Dandenong surged to an 11-0 start on the back of five steals in the opening two minutes.
Adelaide proved too strong down the stretch, inflicting the Rangers’ sixth loss from its seven games that have been decided by less than five points this season.
Lightning point guard Angela Marino (15) and centre Cayla Francis did most of the damage, while Benningfield (16, 13 rebounds) and Probst (12) led the Ranger resistance.
Dandenong coach Dale Waters was understandably thrilled when he flew back to Melbourne this week, having returned to the winners’ circle after more than two months.
Waters said there was little chance of a let-up from his charges once they got a sniff on Saturday night.
“They were very, very determined to win,” he said.
“Before the game started, they basically said, ‘we’re not going to lose this game’.”
That determination translated into stifling defensive pressure from all 10 players and, more importantly, it lasted for 40 minutes.
Waters said his group had remained in high spirits throughout the losing run, but will now look to create some momentum towards next season.
“They know their time is going to come and this is just a transition year for them,” he explained.
The Rangers will hit the road again this weekend for games at the AIS on Friday night and Sydney Uni on Saturday night.