This was published 7 years ago
Dandenong Rangers fall at home to inspired Canberra Capitals in WNBL
By Roy Ward
Dandenong Rangers' defence failed them as a rampant Canberra Capitals scored a win at Dandenong Stadium on Sunday.
The Capitals took an eight-point lead into half-time and extended it to 16 points at the last change before holding steady for an 83-70 win.
Coming through: Canberra's Michaela Ruef is confronted by the Rangers' Ally Malott.Credit: Mick Connolly
While the Rangers could have had a share of top spot if they had won, they were unable to stop Caps point guard Lauren Mansfield (29 points, six rebounds, five assists) nor reduce the influence of Rio Olympian Marianna Tolo (18 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists and five blocks).
Steph Cumming (22 points, six assists) continued her exceptional season for the Rangers, while Sara Blicavs added 14 points and 11 rebounds and Ally Malott 14 points.
Play-maker: Canberra guard Lauren Mansfield shaped the Capitals win.Credit: Mick Connolly
Both sides are now 4-3 (win-loss) for the season and they will meet again next round when the Rangers take a home game to Traralgon on Saturday night.
"We weren't together on our defence today," Cumming said.
"We had our scouts ready to but we kind of crumbled when the pressure came so that's definitely what we will be working on this week."
The Rangers will hope to have import guard Natalie Novosel back from a knee injury next round, although that is far from certain, while Malott's good form is a good sign after an ankle injury slowed her start to the season.
Make or break: A strong Kate Gaze drive meets a Steph Cumming barrier.Credit: Mick Connolly
Tolo dominated in defence including two blocks in the opening term, and Carly Wilson added two three-pointers for the Rangers. Neither side managed to find their best offensive form, with the visitors up 16-15 at quarter-time.
Aimie Clydesdale and Blicavs gave the Rangers some points in the second but the Capitals were much sharper as Mansfield's two three-pointers saw her side up 40-32 at half-time.
Full court press: Canberra guard Lauren Mansfield adds an assist to her game-high 29 points.Credit: Mick Connolly
The Capitals were unable to stop Spirit taking the game away from them in the second half of their loss in Bendigo on Saturday night - but they didn't let the Rangers back into the contest on Sunday with their whole starting five active offensively in the second half.
Mansfield led the charge with nine of her 29 points in the term as the Capitals went up 66-50 at three-quarter-time.
Despite Cumming and Malott's best efforts the Rangers were never truly back into the game with Mansfield banking a three-pointer off the glass to seal the win.
Perth Lynx dominated Melbourne Boomers in a 90-59 thumping in Perth on Sunday with the home side enjoying a 30-12 first term and going on from there.
Sami Whitcomb scored 21 for the Lynx, Brittany Smart 16 for the Boomers.