Rangers face uphill battle

DANDENONG is facing an uphill battle to resurrect its SEABL season after losing to Sandringham 77-70 on Saturday night.
The Rangers – still without injured import Vince Inglima – were typically gallant in pushing the star-studded Sabres to the limit on their home court, but failed to make any inroads on a seven-point three-quarter time deficit.
It was a familiar story for the visitors, with trusty American Dusty Jura (23 points, 17 rebounds) bearing too much of the scoring burden.
Brent Hobba (15, 6) was well below his best and despite a lively cameo from Jadranko ‘J.J.’ Jusufagic (11), the Rangers could not find another consistent scoring threat.
Meanwhile, the Sabres had South Dragons guard Daniel Dillon (20, 9), forward Dean Rzechta (14, 8) and American Tron Smith (16, 4) to offset a quiet game from star guard Sedale Threatt (4).
The home side led at every change to record its second victory over their former Big V rival in 2009.
The Rangers, who slumped to 3-6 for the season, will host Geelong at Stud Road on Saturday night. The Supercats (7-5) have won three in a row after accounting for Sandringham 92-87 on Sunday.
Dandenong’s Championship Women split their weekend double-header, beating Albury-Wodonga 67-62 on Saturday night before falling well short of Knox, 81-64, on Sunday.
Megan Moody led the way in both encounters, dropping 16 against the Bandits and 22 against the Raiders. The ladies will travel to Bendigo on Saturday night to face the top-of-the-table Pioneers.