By ROY WARD
DANDENONG Rangers men returned to top form with a 99-86 win over Albury-Wodonga Border Bandits in the South East Australian Basketball League on Saturday night.
The Rangers went into the clash on the back of some indifferent form over the past month but they showed little sign of those troubles, taking a 14-point quarter-time lead and holding it for the majority of the game against a highly rated Bandits team.
The Rangers got especially high production from post duo Brent Hobba (23 points, 12 rebounds) and Daequon Montreal (22 points, 10 rebounds) as the home side built a 36-22 advantage in points in the paint while also winning the rebound count 40-36.
Another major factor in the game was the Rangers’ ability to put pressure on the Border Bandits’ powerful offence.
The visitors shot just 37 per cent from the field and missed a number of open shots, especially in the first half.
Veteran Border Bandits star Nick Payne led his side with 23 points and five assists while Jazzmar Ferguson had 16 points and Ben Hollis 15.
Hobba said the Rangers showed the fruit of several weeks hard work at practice. “It was a great win from us considering the rough patch of form we have had in the past few weeks.
“We have been training hard in the past few weeks and I think it was good that we were able to take the things we have worked on at training and put them into the game.
“It was also good to put together some longer stretches of good play. In other weeks we haven’t been able to maintain that good play for long enough.”
After taking a lesser role in the Rangers offence this season, Hobba’s 23-point outing also showed he still possessed the shooting skills he was known for in past seasons.
“It was good to get on the board,” he said. “This year I have stepped back a little in the offence because we have so many good scorers.
“I’ve looked to play a role more and given up a few more shots but we have so many guys who can score that different people step up on different nights. Tonight it was me.”
The Rangers play Hobart Chargers at Dandenong Stadium this Saturday night at 7.30pm.
For all the latest breaking news, visit greaterdandenongweekly.com.au. Also, follow the Greater Dandenong Weekly at facebook.com/greaterdandenongweekly or on Twitter @DandenongWeekly.
