SEABL REVIEW
SOUTH CONFERENCE FINAL
The Dandenong Rangers Men pulled off an incredible overtime win over Ballarat at MARS Stadium to claim the South Conference title on Saturday night.
In front of a packed crowd at Ballarat, a truly tight tussle between the two heavyweights saw nothing separate them 26 apiece at quarter time.
The Rangers got their shooting game up and going in the second quarter to jump ahead by four-points at the main break, as they looked to be stamping their dominance over the contest.
A hot-shooting Miners’ side then made life difficult for the Rangers, and with the home crowd spurring on every rebound and field goal made, the momentum was shifting drastically.
The Miners strode out to a commanding 62-52 lead at the final change, with the Rangers needing to defy the odds to claim the title.
Leaving nothing in the tank, the Rangers dominated the final term, drawing level with seconds to play and bringing the game into overtime.
But if not for four epic three pointers in the final term by Jorden Page – who had ice running through his veins, the Rangers may never have got into a winning position.
And in a truly thrilling conclusion to the match with both teams severely fatigued, the Rangers men – inspired by the brilliance of Page (19 points, four rebounds, four assists), Lucas Barker (22 points, six rebounds, six assists) and Garrett Jackson (14 points, 12 rebounds) stormed home in an overtime blitz.
Amazingly, the Rangers outscored the Miners 50-32 in the final quarter and overtime period combined in a dominant half hour of basketball. It is onwards and upwards for the champion Rangers team, who now get the chance to claim the SEABL championship in this Saturday’s final against East Conference winners, Mt Gambier.
The Pioneers claimed the East Conference title in a tight 79-76 win over Nunawading on Friday night.
