By Nick Creely
A fast-starting Dandenong Rangers have held off a fierce challenge from the Perth Lynx, winning 73-66 in game one of their three-match finals series in front of a packed Dandenong crowd on Saturday night.
In what has been a testing and at times soul-searching month and a half for Larissa Anderson and her team, there was no hiding in this one.
It was a hot start for the Rangers, who seemed spurred on early, jumping out to a 20-14 lead at the first-break.
Their electric ball-movement and accurate shooting was on display, with the Lynx barely keeping up for the majority of the quarter.
And from that they were inspired, jumping out to 22-point half-time lead before extending it early in the third to 25 with some electric three-point shooting, especially from co-captain Steph Cumming.
It seemed the game would turn into an embarrassing one for the visitors, as the Rangers looked to further stamp their domination.
But unwilling to be dictated to, the Lynx suddenly found the mojo that got them into the top-four, roaring back to life as the crowd grew just a tad more silent.
The Lynx then completely outplayed the Rangers 26-12 in the final-term, but with the weight-of-the-world on their shoulders the Rangers steadied to register a crucial yet satisfying victory.
On an individual level, Cumming played arguably her best game of the entire season, shooting 25 points, including 20 in the first-half, and five crucial rebounds. Nat Novosel (15 points) had ice in her veins at times. She scored a crucial three-pointer to stop the Lynx in their tracks midway through a crucial time in the final-term, while the usual contributors in Sara Blicavs (11 points) and Jacinta Kennedy (8 points) were industrious.
For the Lynx, Sami Whitcomb (24 points, 13 rebounds) almost single handedly dragged her team over the line, and despite the Rangers put
ting plenty of attention in stopping her, they were unable to restrict her, especially in the second-half.
Cumming said post-match that it was a really relieving victory, but one that was special to all the players and staff at the Rangers.
“I’m absolutely rapt – it would have been devastating to lose this one to be honest,” she said. “Everyone was really pumped up and ready for the game, and we are very, very happy we got this win.
“Hopefully our next game isn’t as close and we can come out with a big win.”
Despite the loss, the Lynx would have taken significant confidence from their last half despite the eventual loss.
The Rangers will travel over to Perth on Friday night to tackle the Lynx in game two of their series.
If the play-offs get to the third-match, Dandenong will be hosting the last game
