Photo Credit: Stewart Chambers for the Jayco Dandenong Rangers
The Brydens Sydney Uni Flames four game win streak has come to an end, falling to the Dandenong Rangers by 2 points in Dandenong on Sunday. Playing their second game of Round 4, the Flames were without chief play-maker, Australian Opal Katie-Rae Ebzery. Ebzery went down with an ankle injury in the Flames victory over the Melbourne Boomers, at home, on Friday night.
The rematch of last year’s Championship game was tightly contested from the beginning. The scores were tied at half time, however the Flames began to pull away late in the third quarter. The Rangers trailed by as many as 10 points early in the fourth, but put together a 16-8 last quarter to defeat the visiting Flames 70-68 in a nail-biting finish.
“We certainly had our chances and we missed Katie out there. The last minute was a bit of a rollercoaster,” Coach Cheryl Chambers said of the close loss.
Despite the heart-breaking finish, Asia Taylor starred for the defending Champs, with 24 points, six rebounds and three assists. Belinda Snell and Alex Wilson each chipped in 11 points and four assists.
The Rangers were consistent across the board. Sarah Blicavs led the home side with 14 points and US Import, Kayla Pederson, added 12 points and 7 rebounds.
The second placed Flames will look to get themselves back in the winner’s circle, when they take on the seventh placed University of Canberra Capitals twice in Round 5. The battle of the Universities begins at Brydens Stadium this Thursday 2nd November at 7pm. Get your tickets here.
The second game between the two sides will be played on Saturday 4th November at the National Convention Centre, Canberra, live on Fox Sports at 3pm.
