Right: Former Dandenong junior Liz Cambage got a mixed reception from local fans on her way to a game-high 19 points.By Paul Pickering
MIDWEEK recruit Jess Mahony provided the spark for Dandenong’s first win of the WNBL season on Sunday.
The Rangers snapped a four-game losing streak by upsetting Bendigo 88-72 in the second game of their Victorian derby weekend, following an 80-67 loss to Bulleen on Saturday.
Mahony flew in from Adelaide last week as cover for injured point guards Nicole Hunt and Amelia Todhunter, and was hailed as an instant success after an impressive all-round outing against the Spirit.
The former Adelaide Lighting guard, who had been working as a police officer after being overlooked for another contract, contributed 10 points, five assists and a team-high eight rebounds to the Rangers’ cause.
“I can’t believe no one else has got her,” Rangers coach Dale Waters marvelled.
“She’s such a good player and could fit into any team, so we’re just really fortunate to get her at this time.”
With Mahony running the point, young gun Stephanie Cumming (18 points) and veteran sharp-shooter Caitlin Ryan (13) were freed up to concentrate on their scoring.
Meanwhile, American import Casey Nash (17, 7 rebounds) and British international Megan Moody (11, 5) proved to be a handful in the paint.
Waters described Nash’s performance as a ‘breakout game’.
“That’s the girl we saw on the tape and wanted to recruit,” he explained.
“Casey was outstanding in the second half and showed what she can bring to our group.”
The Spirit led 43-38 at halftime and star point guard Kristi Harrower (22) looked set for another huge outing against the Rangers.
But Waters gave athletic forward Alison Downie the key defensive assignment midway through the third term and it proved to be a master stroke, with Harrower scoring just two points for the remainder of the game.
The result saw the Rangers escape the indignity of being the first group in the club’s history to start the season 0-5.
In hindsight, the hints of a revival were there in the second half against Bulleen, when the Rangers rallied from 30 points down to lose by just 13.
They never looked like winning – Bulleen’s twin towers Liz Cambage (19) and Elyse Penaluna (13) dominated from the outset – but they gained some confidence from the late fight-back.
Importantly, struggling Texan Ashley Lindsey (10) gave the local fans a glimpse of things to come with some nice post moves and medium-range jump-shots.
Dandenong will now travel to Adelaide to play the 4-1 Lightning on Saturday night.
