By JARROD POTTER
WNBL – Round 17
IT’S all about this weekend for Dandenong as the Rangers look to wipe away some up-and-down form in their Saturday afternoon WNBL semi-final against Sydney Uni.
Heading interstate on Friday night, Dandenong faced off against a geared up Lightning which was able to overrun the Rangers 89-71 in Whyalla.
With Adelaide’s immediate future under threat, the Lightning came out firing to send off this season on a high-note.
Off in regional South Australia, Dandenong got out of the blocks strongly as the lead went back and forth before a bit of Penny Taylor magic earned a slender 21-19 lead for the visitors.
The three-point game, which Dandenong has come to depend on, was all but absent as the Rangers shot 1/12 from long range.
Adelaide was able to capitalise on Dandenong’s errant shooting to push away in the second half 46-23, stealing the win and pushing out of last spot on the WNBL ladder.
The heavy lifting fell to Cappie Pondexter (17 points, 9 rebounds), Alice Kunek (16 points, 6 rebounds) and Aimie Clydesdale (13 points) at the point.
With a double-header across the weekend and finals looming, Taylor (5 points) was given an extended rest as she only played 22 minutes as did Annalise Pickrel (6 points) – featuring in only 19 minutes herself.
Dandenong’s last match of the home and away season was on Sunday evening after the Journal went to press, as the Rangers clashed with ladder leaders Townsville at the Dandenong Stadium. Check the Journal website for final scores.
Dandenong will now face Sydney Uni in an elimination semi-final at Dandenong Stadium on Saturday afternoon from 3pm.
