@Normal:Dandenong guard Chantella Perera is challenged by Bendigo’s Toni Edmondson during the Rangers tense overtime loss at home on Saturday. 56935 Picture: Stewart Chambers
By Mark Gullick
DANDENONG suffered its maiden home loss after the Bendigo Spirit outlasted the Rangers in overtime on Saturday.
Scores were level at every change and the lead never exceeded more than five points in a classic display of tough basketball.
The Rangers made a quick start on the back of WNBA import Ashley Robinson’s four points and staunch defence before the Spirit fought back.
The Spirit edged ahead to a five-point lead in the third quarter, but a scoring burst by Chantella Perera levelled the scores.
With time dwindling in the final term, Rangers guard Kath MacLeod tied the match with a three-pointer.
A desperate final heave by Kristi Harrower was off target.
The Rangers’ defence was strong during the overtime period, but they struggled at the offensive end.
The match appeared to be heading towards a second overtime period before Bendigo’s Chelsea Aubry hit a triple to win the match for the Spirit.
“I’m not sure if I’ve been involved in a game like that before,” Rangers coach Mark Wright said.
He was disappointed with the loss.
“We had plenty of chances not to go into overtime,” he said.
“We missed nine free-throws (to Bendigo’s five) and we missed several easy lay-ups. If we’d rolled the dice and taken our chances, we would have won.”
The contest at point guard was one of the highlights.
MacLeod led the Rangers’ offence with 20 points and five assists in polished, energetic performance that shadowed her adversary, Australian star Harrower.
In the absence of tough Rangers’ centre Abby Bishop; veterans Robinson (nine rebounds, four blocks) and Tracy Gahan (10 rebounds, three blocks) filled the void to form a powerful defensive partnership.
The normally deadly Gahan lost her shooting touch, hitting just one of eight attempts.
Perera added 13 points, including two successive shots from beyond the arc.
The Spirit was led by New Zealand representative – and former Ranger – Toni Edmondson (21 points). Canadian import Chelsea Aubry claimed 17 points and nine rebounds and Harrower supplied 11 points after a slow start.
It was the second meeting between the teams, with Dandenong winning by two points in round two.
“The two clubs are very similar and we have a great rivalry,” Wright said.
“It doesn’t matter where we are on the ladder, they are always tough games.”
Dandenong maintains second spot, but has a host of teams on its tail.
The Rangers host the Sydney Flames (4-5) on Friday night at Stud Road.
