Boomers defeat Bendigo in a down to the wire Round Two thriller
In their second consecutive game against the Bendigo Spirit, the Deakin Melbourne Boomers clutched the win in a nail-biter fourth quarter, giving them two wins to kick off their 2019/20 WNBL season.
Bendigo’s Marte Grays opened the game with an inside two points, which was followed by a quick recant from Cayla George scoring an inside bucket for Boomers.
Newest recruit Sophie Cunningham scored an open three only seconds after Bendigo had taken the early lead.
The baskets kept coming in the opening quarter, with George scoring 6 consecutive points for Boomers.
With 2:43 left on the clock for the opening quarter Bendigo’s Teige Morrell scored an open jump shot, bringing Bendigo back into the game.
However Boomers Toni Farnworth, showcased her veteran skills with two hard drives to the basket, following through with a score both times.
With1:24 left in the quarter Bendigo’s Shyla Heal scored an open three closing the gap to even the scores. However Ezi Magbegor then scored an inside basket to push the Boomers back out ahead.
However just as the buzzer rang Heal scored another three to tie up the scores heading into quarter time 17-17.
Cunningham opened the second quarter with a showcase of her impressive shooting skills, making all three of her free throws after a foul called on Demi Skinner.
Last weeks star player Lindsay Allen also came blitzing into the second quarter, sinking a exciting three pointer, giving the Boomers a six-point lead with 7:30 left on the clock for the quarter.
After some Boomers dominated play, Bendigo’s spirit was not to be deflated, as Carley Ernst fought back with a three pointer that was quickly followed by another three from Lavey, putting the spirit in front by 2 points. Then to add more power to their play, Abigail Wehrung made a layup, to increase Bendigo’s lead to 4 points, 27-23.
But the Boomers were quick to attack, with a big three from George once again. However the Spirit were all to eager to maintain their lead, with Grays making a smooth layup.
With 2:11 left on the clock until half time, an inside 2 points from Stella Beck, and a strong drive and basket from Allen, saw Boomers find their mojo again and by the half time buzzer the scores were again tied up 31-31.
Opening the second half of the game Allen bought out the power in an unstoppable layup where she made the two points, giving Boomers the small early lead they needed.
It didn’t take long however for the Spirit to close any gap the Boomers were building, with an open three by Grays followed by an inside basket by Kelly Wilson.
With locked scores 41-41 and 4:32 left on the clock, Cunningham scored a much needed three for the Boomers to re-claim the game lead.
A strong defensive presence had George saying no to the Spirit today as she made a block with 2:30 left on the clock.
With 52 seconds left on the clock, Boomers had an eight-point lead, which was closed to six when Morrell made two from the line to bring the scores to 54-48 at the three quarter buzzer.
To bring her score tally to 22 points, George opened the final quarter with a huge three. The co-captain was undeniably a threat to Bendigo’s winning chances.
61-53 in the Boomers favour with 6:11 left on the clock, the Boomers were showing no sign of slowing down.
However two quick inside baskets for the Spirit made by Skinner, saw the Boomers lead slowly decreasing.
With 3:36 on the clock, Cunningham sunk another impressive three, giving the Boomers a 10-point lead.
Spirit however, saw Lavey make an easy intercept followed by two points, working hard to bring it back in the final minutes.
With only a five-point lead and 1:20 left on the clock, Maddie Garrick scored an outside basket, putting the Boomers at 72-65.
Giving it their all to the end the Spirit were not willing to go down without a fight, and with only 32 seconds left on the clock, the Boomers had only a nail-biting two point lead 72-70.
With 5.9 seconds remaining, Cunningham cemented the win, sinking two free throws, bringing the final score to 74-70.
Head coach Guy Molloy paid credit to co-captain George on her impressive performance.
“Cayla was amazing, she had a great game for us… she kept us in touch with the game when we were trying to figure it out.”
George also gave recognition to Cunningham as she continues to impress on court.
“She is a perfect fit for what we’re about here at the Boomers. On the court she plays really hard and she plays with passion.”
“We’re happy for each others successes on court and that’s the type of play you want.” George said as the Boomers celebrate two wins in two weeks.
Deakin Melbourne Boomers – 74 (George 24, Cunningham 18, Allen 12)
Bendigo Spirit – 70 (Wilson 19, Lavey 13, Grays 12)
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