By JARROD POTTER
A second half blitz from Dandenong shook off a determined Townsville – with the Rangers running out 20-point winners.
The first half went from end to end as Suzy Batkovic (25 points, 11 rebounds) kept the Fire in touch.
An injury to captain Rachael McCully halted Townsville’s best offensive general and left the point duties to Micaela Cocks and youngster Tiana Mangakahia.
The Rangers worked their way to the front late in both first half quarters as shots from Natalie Novosel and Leilani Mitchell found the basket in the dying seconds.
The second half was chalk and cheese as Townsville ran out of puff – following a surprise 81-70 victory over the Bendigo Spirit on Saturday night.
Dandenong found its long-range game after half-time with Jenna O’Hea (23 points, six rebounds, six assists) and Alice Kunek (21 points) feasting on the free space.
Kayla Pedersen (10 points, eight rebounds) and Brigette Ardossi (4 points) kept Batkovic accountable under the ring.
Coach Mark Wright said the win continued the form of last week – on the Queensland circuit – and to knock off Townsville at home was a great sign for Dandenong shutting out teams.
“That was the worry – that they came off such a big game yesterday (Saturday) that their confidence will be sky-high, Wright said.
“The last three games we’ve turned a corner I think and every time we get a win going forward form now it will make me believe that we’ve turned a corner and mentally got ourselves on the right side of positive basketball.”
Another graduate of the Dandenong junior development ranks, Rachel Antoniadou, earned the debut seconds of her WNBL career in the victory.
Fresh off a bye, the Adelaide Lightning will descend on Dandenong Basketball Stadium on Friday to face the now 12-5 Rangers.
