Bearcats advance to Semis

By James Woite

A 15-2 run to end the night has seen the West Adelaide Bearcats overcome the Woodville Warriors 53-41 at St Clair in the Elimination Final.

When Rachel Herrick fed Anna Carbo with just over four minutes remaining, the Bearcats were able to get their first points of the quarter, but more importantly, regain the lead. Kate Shierlaw and Megan McLeod then made it three scores from three possessions, before Warrior Ashleigh White set up a thrilling climax with a jumper from the left wing that reduced the margin to three points.

The Bearcats missed some free throws and close range shots that would have extended their buffer, but the Warriors brought about their own downfall with two costly turnovers. The Bearcats did not hurt them the first time, but they did the second, with Carbo converting a contested layup.

Tess Keenan failed to connect on two free throws the following possession, before Carbo made an excellent move to score inside again. From there, the Bearcats continued to get stops and control the clock. Their prize is a trip to Marion to face South Adelaide in the First Semi Final.

The Warriors scored the first seven points of the third quarter for a 28-22 lead, but with star trio Callan Taylor, Kimberley Porplycia and Ursula Richards on the bench for the final few minutes of the period, the Bearcats gained control.

Down 38-32 after three quarters, the Warriors, with their best players back on court, opened the fourth the same way they began the third – scoring seven unanswered points. They also missed several layups. Had they converted these they could have built a potentially match-winning lead.

Ultimately, inefficiency hurt the Warrior, as they were once again unable to close out the quarter successfully.

Carbo was the only Bearcat to reach double figures in points. She had 16 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Trudy Holland added 12 rebounds, 6 points and 3 assists.

The Bearcats shot 37 per cent to the Warriors’ 23 per cent, and picked up 48 rebounds to 34. The Warriors had just 15 turnovers to the Bearcats’ 23.

Richards scored 15 points to go with 6 rebounds for the Warriors. White had 10 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists.

The Warriors showed great improvement this season but will not play again in 2015. They end the year on three straight losses – had they won any of the three, they would be in the Semis.

 




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