Brydens Sydney Uni Flames are hoping to christen their new Brydens Stadium at Sydney Uni Sports & Aquatic Centre with a win over Dandenong Rangers on Friday night.
But coach Karen Dalton knows it will be no easy task.
“Dandenong are one of the competition favourites for 2013-14,” she said. “They put 103 points on Logan Thunder in the opening round.
“They have three WNBA players in Kayla Pederson, Leilani Mitchell and Jenna O’Hea and a highly ranked American import in Natalie Novasel. So we’ll have to be at our best to beat them.”
The coach was happy with the team’s start to the season when they posted an 83-68 result over Canberra on Friday night.
“The girls gelled really well for the opening game and our defence held up well,” she said.
Dalton blamed fatigue for the Flames’ performance against Melbourne Boomers on Sunday when they lost 72-66.
The turn-around in under 24 hours with travel and daylight saving involved didn’t help us,” she said.
“We led them by 10 points early on and went to the first break with a three-point advantage.
“We fell away in the second quarter but fought back to be within four points with two minutes on the clock. They tried hard but were very fatigued at the end.”
Dalton is hoping a big home crowd this Friday night will help lift her troops to a winning start in the new 740-seat stadium. Tip off is at 7.30pm, and you can purchase tickets online at sydneyuniflames.com.au under the membership/tickets tab.
