The Brydens Sydney Uni Flames will head into their Round 7 “Bush Fire Appeal Day” clash this Saturday night against the Dandenong Rangers intent on registering their first home victory for season 2013/14.
Following a 37-point demolition of the West Coast Waves in Darwin on Saturday night, the Flames will feel confident that if they continue to improve defensively – they let up just 38 points in four quarters of basketball against the Waves – they will give themselves a great shot of defeating the third placed Rangers.
“Last weekend we got up the floor and pressured them (Waves) defensively,” explained game high scorer (16 points) Renae Camino.
That defensive pressure contributed to the Flames forcing 23 West Coast turnovers.
“We showed a lot of intensity in defence and we need to continue that intensity on the court against Dandenong this Saturday night.”
The Rangers with represent a far sterner test, particularly with the scoring options they possess in Emerging Opals representative Alice Kunek and Opals star Jenna O’Hea.
Kunek is averaging 18.1 points per game, while O’Hea is scoring 22.6 points each outing.
O’Hea will be of particular interest to the Flames, following her 29 point haul against in Round 2 at Brydens Stadium lifting the Rangers to a hard fought six point victory.
“We need to build on what we have been working on the last few weeks, which is to continue to work hard defensively,” said Camino.
“We know we can score points at the other end.”
This weekend’s match against the Rangers also represents an opportunity for the Flames to register their first home victory on their new Brydens Stadium court, following home losses of six, 16 and three points to Dandenong, Bendigo and Adelaide – all top four teams.
“We are very focused on getting our first home victory of the season,” said Camino.
“It’s important that we start winning our home games and continue to move up the ladder.”
Camino also threw her support behind the Flames “Bush Fire Appeal Day”, where $1 from every ticket sold against the Rangers this Saturday night will be donated to the Bush Fire Appeal.
“It’s fantastic that the Flames are supporting this appeal, and I’d like to encourage all of our fans to purchase a ticket this weekend’s match so that they can come along and contribute to this great cause.”
Tip-off for this Saturday’s night’s game against the Dandenong Rangers is at 7pm at Brydens Stadium at the Sydney Uni Sports & Aquatic Centre.
All tickets can be purchased online by clicking here or at the door from 6pm onwards on Saturday night.
