Rnd 8: Flames Women rally late to overrun Sabres
By Sam Phillips
Norwood Flames 73 | Sturt Sabres 60
Norwood women remain undefeated at 8-0, finding a way to prevail over a Sturt side that led at all breaks, except the last.
Norwood started the match strongly opening up a 9-2 lead on Sturt, before a 10-0 run saw Sturt claw back the lead. A solid collision between Jess Foley and Lauren Gibbons highlighted the determination of both sides to be first to the ball, while both appeared shaken, fortunately neither were hurt.
Sturt had the momentum and the lead on the back of some good passing, going into the first break 19-14.
In what was an even second quarter, both sides traded baskets - Jess McPhail (8 pts, 4 assists) picked up a useful 6 points for Sturt, while Jess Foley (15 pts, 4 assists) began to assert herself on the contest proving to be one of Norwood’s best as the match progressed.
Sturt’s lead of 5 however, remained unchanged, 37-32 at half time.
During the third, Norwood began to take control of the game largely due to the good board work from Jess Good (9 rebounds, 10 pts) and Cara Annetts (8 rebounds, 9 pts), an area they were ultimately dominate in (12 more rebounds than Sturt).
While Norwood initially failed to turn this better ball usage into scoreboard pressure on Sturt, the crowd might have felt their persistence and effort would eventually pay off.
Continuing the pattern for the night, Sturt again led by 5 going into the last quarter, 51-46.
In a fast start to the last quarter, intense ball pressuring and accurate shooting from range by Taylor Ortlepp (11 pts, 3 rebounds) saw Norwood suddenly lead by 7 points within 3 minutes.
Stephanie Talbot (11 pts, 9 rebounds) had a prolific last quarter, proving important despite early foul trouble seeing her play less minutes than usual.
Sturt did not give up in the last, but will be disappointed that an opportunity to beat the reigning premiers was seemingly in reach.
Lauren Gibbons (7 pts) toiled hard and Jade Johnson (15 pts, 5 rebounds), arguably Sturt’s best, looked dangerous from outside the arc, hitting four 3 pointers for the night.
In what was far from Norwood’s most polished performance, fans should be pleased with the effort shown to get a win in tough circumstances.
Round 9: Saturday, 7 May at 6:30pm
North Adelaide Rockets v Sturt Sabres @ Hillcrest
West Adelaide Bearcats v Norwood Flames @ Port Adelaide
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