yogee
Years ago
Lightning down Dandenong
The Adelaide Quit Lightning have taken a surprising win, defeating first
place Dandenong Jayco Rangers 76-72 at the Lighthouse in Adelaide, in the
final round of the Prfice Attack Women's National basketball League.
Continuing her recent outstanding form, Jessica Bibby top scored in the
game, with 24 points, however it was not enough to survive an at times
withering Adelaide defence.
Jennifer Screen and Laura Summerton top scored for the home side, both with
19 points, Summertton also grabbing 12 rebounds, including a career best
eight offensive boards.
Dandenong jumped out to an early four point lead, Jessica Bibby opening the
scoring for the game, before Adelaide could get on the board courtesy of a
Laura Summerton basket. The teams went basket for basket for a while,
Adelaide unable to get closer than two points, until Bibby fouled Erin
Seward, sending the young guard to the line, converting both free throws
and levelling the scores.
Adelaide's next offensive run saw Erin Phillips hitting two free throws
from a Sam Richards foul, the Lightning taking a narrow two point lead.
Dandenong were having trouble holding onto the ball, committing 5
turnovers for the period, the Lightning converting loose balls into seven
points. Quarter time and Adelaide holding on to a slender four point lead
20-16, Screen leading all scorers with seven, Carly Wilson and Bibby
sharing scoring honours for the visitors with four each.
The second quarter turned into the Jessica Bibby show. The MVP candidate
scored 14 points for the term, on 6/7 field goal shooting.
Summerton started the scoring off for the term, hitting four points and
opening the lead out to seven, before Bibby hit five of her points without
reply, bringing the scoreline back to 24-22. Coach Chris Lucas called a
timeout for the Lightning, but Sam Richards continued the Dandenong
scoring, tying up the scores.
Bibby seemed to be doing the only scoring for the visitors, taking them out
to a four point lead, consecutive three point shots from Screen and then
Monique Bowley giving Adelaide the lead by two again, Bibby scoring the
last basket of the term to bring the score to 37 all for half time, leading
the game with 18 points. Summerton leading the Lightning with 11.
The third period started the same, with Summerton opening the scoring, and
when Seward scored the next basket, Adelaide again opened a four point
lead. However, Jacinta Hamilton on her way to eight point for the stanza,
and then Samantha Richards scoring levelled scores once again. A scare
went through the Lightning camp when Screen seemed to land gingerly from a
rebound attempt, and she was promptly subbed out, Lightning staff working
on her left ankle, not before getting to the other end, and making a three
point attempt. Scores went basket for basket for the rest of the term,
with Adelaide managing to outscore Dandenong by one point only for the
term. Adelaide were ahead by the smallest of margins at the last break
58-57, Bibby on 20 points to lead the game, and Screen and Summerton both
on 15 to lead the Lightning scoring.
Whilst keeping close to Adelaide, Dandenong just could not take back the
lead during the fourth term, the Adelaide defence making hard work for the
visitors. The game looked all over when with 2:47 left in the game, Cherie
Smith hit a basket to take the Lightning lead to a game high eight points,
until Caitlin Ryan, quiet for the majority of the game, made a basket, and
converted the free throw awarded from Erin Phillips' third foul. Phillips
then fed Screen for a basket, keeping the lead at five, but then Screen
fouled Emma Randall, who also converted both her free throws. Dandenong
were forced to foul the rest of the game to keep time on the clock, but
when Bibby sent Smith to the line, even the one of two free throws was good
enough to seal the result, Adelaide taking a surprising win 76-72.
Jessica Bibby continued her scintillating form with 24 points on 10/16
shooting, Jenny Screen and Laura Summerton sharing the honours for
Adelaide, with 19 points each, Summerton also grabbing a game high 12
rebounds, including a career-equalling best eight offensive boards.
Dandenong coach Gary Fox was full of praise for the Lightning after the
game.
"They played extremely well." Fox stated.
Looking forward to the play offs starting next week he was quite
philosophical.
"We are quite comfortable" he responded when questioned about how he feels
going into the finals series.
Adelaide coach Chris Lucas was just as happy.
"We have built tremendous momentum against Bulleen, then Sydney and now
Dandenong, and we are happy going into the finals"
"We will focus now for AIS on Sunday, and then move on to face Sydney next
week."
When asked about Screen's injury he was relaxed.
"It's a minor twinge, and if she is any doubt, we would rest her on Sunday
to be ready for next week."
Dandenong move on to Perth to play the Lynx as their last game for the
regular season, with Adelaide taking their last home game regional, playing
at Mt. Barker in the Adelaide Hills on Sunday afternoon.
