McSpadden’s Cyclones book NBL1 North grand final spot
Lara McSpadden’s Rockhampton Cyclones are into the women’s NBL1 North decider after downing Logan 66-59 on Saturday.
In the triumph, the Flames centre tallied 17 points, 16 rebounds, two dimes, two blocks and one steal.
The Cyclones will now take on minor premiers Northside in the three-game championship series, starting with Friday’s opener at the Northside Indoor Sports Centre.
In NBL1 East, the Sydney Comets progressed to the semi-finals after outlasting Newcastle 85-76 on Saturday.
In the big-time win, Vanessa Panousis (seven points, nine rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block) and Jada Crawshaw (17 points, four rebounds, one steal and one block) starred for the Comets – who will now face Norths in the final four.
That Bears team, featuring Emma Donnelly, qualified for that fixture after defeating Maitland 81-57.
Unfortunately, Lauren Nicholson and her Sutherland Sharks weren’t as fortunate, going down 93-88 to the Centre of Excellence.
In the defeat, the Australian Opal had 32 points, 10 assists, eight rebounds and two steals.
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To Western Australia and Emma Clarke’s Perry Lakes Hawks were eliminated by Mandurah on Saturday, falling 73-53 – despite eight points, five boards, three assists and one block by the Flames wing.
To the Kings, Jaylin Galloway and his Ipswich Force are now just two wins away from the NBL1 North championship after Saturday’s semi-final victory against Logan.
At the Bendigo Bank Cornubia Park Sports Centre, Galloway’s 12 points, five rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block steered the Force to an 87-79 victory.
In the defeat, Shaun Bruce tallied 20 points, nine boards, seven dimes and one steal for the hosts.
Galloway’s victory means they will lock horns with Gold Coast, in a best-of-three series, for the NBL1 North title – with game one tipping off at 7.30pm on Friday.
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Elsewhere, the season of Angus Glover and his Eltham Wildcats is over after losing their NBL1 South semi-final to Knox 84-81.
In the defeat, Glover produced 17 points, five rebounds, four dimes and one steal.
Out west, Zac Gattorna’s Geraldton Buccaneers progressed to the semi-finals after edging Willetton 87-86 on Saturday.
In the victory, Gattorna had 27 points, five rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block.
The Buccs now progress to the preliminary final, which will be played on August 5 – against the winner of Thursday’s match-up between Perry Lakes and Perth.
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