Tough Loss First Up For Boomers

The Deakin Melbourne Boomers opened the 2018/19 Chemist Warehouse WNBL season with a fight, but couldn’t clinch the win.

In front of a big crowd of 2,531 at the State Basketball Centre, the Boomers started their season off on fire offensively with Lindsey Allen leading the charge totalling 8 points and 2 assists in the first five minutes.

However, turnovers were an issue as the team tallied seven for the quarter. Still, the fast-paced attack had the Boomers heading into the first break with a 27-21 lead.

In what was a slow start to the second period for the Boomers, the Spirit went on an 8-0 run to begin. Their momentum continued leading 28-39 when a timeout was called with three minutes left in the first half.

A 29-5 run during the second quarter proved pivotal in Bendigo’s win, it was a purple patch that put the Boomers on the back foot.

Melbourne’s WNBL team came out strong from the main break with a Steph Talbot and captain Jenna O’Hea inspired run to bring the margin back into single digits in quick time.

Defence was the theme of the quarter with Boomers’ pressure created plenty of offensive opportunities in transition, leading to several trips to the charity stripe. An after-the-siren technical foul to the Spirit put the Boomers at the line to start the last quarter, still trailing 52-63.

Lindsay Allen had a solid start to the fourth drawing a charge, getting a steal and scoring two quick buckets to rally her teammates. Despite this effort, turnovers and hot 3-point shooting by the Spirit saw the Boomers slip back to a 15-point deficit.

In the end, the Boomers showed flashes of why they are to be feared this WNBL season, however, the defence, rebounding and shooting of the Spirit were too much with the visitors walking away with a 10 point victory.

Game highs for the Boomers were Steph Talbot (20pts), Jenna O’Hea (14pts, 6reb), Cayla George (10pts, 11reb) and Lindsay Allen (18pts, 5 ast).

The Boomers now move on to taking on the Canberra UC Capitals on Friday night (October 19) in Geelong.

NEXT: Deakin Melbourne Boomers vs Canberra UC Capitals

WHEN: Friday October 19

TIME: 7:30pm tip-off

WHERE: Geelong Arena

TICKETS: www.trybooking.com/BOOMERS or at the door