By JARROD POTTER
SEABL – Round 2
NOTCHING their first century of the season, the Dandenong Rangers emphatically brushed aside Canberra Capitals Academy in a 104-74 Saturday night SEABL triumph.
Quick out of the blocks, Dandenong rattled off 32 points in the first term to send the immediate message to the Capitals’ Academy.
Despite a third-term lull – as Canberra revived its chances posting a 26-16 advantage – the Rangers finished as strongly as they started to cap off the 30-point demolition.
The guard brigade excelled on Saturday night, led by Amelia Todhunter (28 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals) – in one of her finest performances in the Rangers’ colours.
Clare Papavs (17 points, 10 rebounds) also snared a double-double while Aimie Clydesdale (16 points) and Rachel Antoniadou (10 points) ensured all the fun was had from the Rangers’ back-court.
Sitting pretty in SEABL East Conference’s first place, Dandenong now has a double-header – its traditional ANZAC Day match against Frankston from 6pm Saturday before hosting Nunawading on Sunday from 12pm.
Beaten by a whisker were the Dandenong men, downed 86-88 by the faster finishing and aptly named Canberra Gunners.
The Gunners fired off a last-quarter rampage, hitting 31 points to chase down an 11-point final term margin the Rangers accrued on the back of hard work from Daequon Montreal (26 points) and Chris Patton (19 points, 8 rebounds).
Canberra long-ranger shooters sealed the game as the visitors nailed 17 threes, as Luke Jamieson (four-of-five 3 pointers) and Daniel Joyce (four-of-10 3 pointers) rattled off the match-winning shots.