By Mark Halliday

Sturt Sabres 61 | Woodville Warriors 50

The Sturt Sabres put in an excellent defensive showing in the fourth quarter of their match against the Woodville Warriors to take an 11 point victory, 61-50 at St Clair on Saturday night.

The Sabres stopped the Warriors in their tracks, completely halting their offence as they established a lead and ran away with victory. Tavarsha Scott's bucket with 1:56 left in the game was the first and only score for the Warriors in a lean fourth quarter for the home side.

Sturt took advantage of Woodville's poor shooting as they found easy points on the other end mainly from the hands of Hannah Richards. Richards scored five of her 12 points in the quarter as the Sabres outscored the Warriors 12-2 to close out the game.

The Warriors were unable to respond like they had done earlier in the game when they fell behind by six at the half in a tight battle.

Scott, Deanna Troia and Jessica Von Einem brought the Warriors back from the deficit to even the score at 40. Kimberly Porplycia took the lead on the next possession and Tess Keenan's triple made it a five edge for Woodville.

Their lead was short lived though as Richards, Nicola Matthews and Caroline Burgess all scored to close the gap. As time ran down in the third quarter, Kate Gladstone's half court heave was off target but Burgess, recognising that there was still time on the clock, just guided the ball towards the hoop off the awkward bounce and somehow got the shot to go in as time expired. The Sabres took the lead for good on that shot and headed into the final 10 minutes with a one point lead.

Sturt had a number of contributors to balance their scoring throughout the game. Richards led with 12 points, 6 rebounds and 3 blocks. Burgess had a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Gladstone finished with 9 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists, Matthews also scored 9 to go with 5 assists.

Woodville's Scott led all scorers with 14 points and 7 rebounds. Katherine Perkas added 9 points and 5 rebounds. Porplycia finished with 7 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds and Troia also had 7 as well as 5 rebounds.

The Warriors had their three game winning streak broken which sees them sitting in fifth place at 3-2. The Sabres stay in second place with their record at 4-1.

Round 6: Friday, 22 April 2016 @ 6.30pm

Sturt Sabres v Eastern Mavericks at Adelaide Hills

Woodville Warriors v West Adelaide Bearcats at Port Adelaide

ANZAC DAY ROUND: DETAILS HERE.