The Southern Design Sydney Uni Sparks acquired their second consecutive win of the season, defeating the Diamond Valley Eagles, 77-67, in round three.
It was a tough task for the Sparks coming up against the Eagles, who boasted recent Commonwealth Games gold medallist, Ezi Magbegor, New Zealand’s Chevannah Palvaast and 2017 World Uni Games gold medallist, Abbey Wehrung in their lineup.
Both teams had only one win on the season coming into the game, but it was the Sparks who came out firing. Lara McSpadden and Tahlia Tupaea began their domination early, combining for 16 points in the first quarter. The team’s ability to convert on the offensive end, mixed with their strong defensive intensity had the home side sitting 7 points ahead at quarter time.
Diamond Valley put up a fight, lifting their intensity in the second and third quarters and maintained scoreboard pressure ensuring the contest remained close. By the end of the third quarter, the visitors had closed the gap to just 2 points.
Tupaea led the Sparks in the fourth quarter, scoring 10 of their last 16 points in the last few minutes to take the home side to victory. She led all scorers with 26 points adding nine rebounds and six assists. McSpadden and Shanae Greaves continued to assert their dominance inside with 18 points and 16 points respectively.
The Sparks have another tough assignment ahead of them this weekend, hosting the Geelong Supercats at 7pm on Friday 27th April at Brydens Stadium.