Rangers break even

By Stuart Teather
THE Dandenong Rangers broke even in a tough double header on the weekend, losing to third-placed Geelong on Saturday before knocking off fourth-placed Hobart on Sunday.
The Rangers were on the back foot from the tip-off against Geelong, giving up 40 points in the first quarter and falling 17 behind.
The margin remained throughout the clash, with Geelong shooting out to a 24-point lead at the final change, before the Rangers pulled it back to 17 in the last, with the final score 127-110.
The damage could have been a lot worse if not for Dusty Jura, who led the way with 40 points for the Rangers, including 11 offensive boards.
Jura took a back seat — by his standards — on Sunday against Hobart, posting 23 points and 10 rebounds in his side’s 110-108 win. Dandenong again fell behind in the first term and was chasing all night, but outscored Hobart 66-51 in the second half to power home.
Jon Shepherd (28 points) led the Rangers’ scoring, with double-figure contributions from Matthew Witherden (18), Vince Inglima (14), James De Neefe (13) and Brent Hobba (12).
Meanwhile, the Lady Rangers slumped to their sixth loss on the trot, going down to Frankston by a solitary point.
Dandenong trailed by 10 points at the final change and the side flew home, restricting Frankston to four points in the final term, but fell just short of victory.
Elyse Penaluna top-scored with 16 points and Catherine Guest had 12, but Frankston’s Deanne Butler was unstoppable with 19 for the game.
Both the men and women will suit up for the local derby against Kilsyth this Saturday, at Dandenong.