By Nick Creely
In a riveting and hot contest, the Dandenong Rangers dropped away late to fall by 12-points to an impressive Perth Lynx at Dandenong Stadium last Thursday night.
Although the Lynx blew the game wide open in a scintillating 9-18 final term, the game was tight throughout, with both defences rock solid.
Still feeling the effects of star playmaker Sara Blicavs’ season ending injury, the Rangers are still searching for ways to cover her imposing presence.
The Lynx had the early running in the game to take a three-point lead into quarter time, but a more defensive approach ensured the Rangers could claw the deficit back to just one-point at half time.
With skipper Steph Blicavs battling hard to keep her side in the contest, the Lynx gained some ascendency and locked down defensively, and started to convert their baskets, claiming the critical victory on the glass (43-33).
It continues a string of inconsistency for last year’s WNBL runners-up, who are still desperately searching for a winning formula after an off-season which saw more departures than expected.
The Rangers then played Adelaide Lightning at the State Basketball Centre on Saturday night, in what was a WNBL cluster round.
Similar to the Thursday clash with the Lynx, the Rangers lacked spark and were outplayed from the outset in a 49-70 loss at home.
The Lightning led through every quarter to defeat the Rangers for the second time this season.
In what was a rough night for the home side, the Rangers were led admirably by skipper Steph Blicavs (14 points), who never stopped trying for her side.
The Rangers have slipped to sixth on the WNBL table, and will need to drastically turn things around if they are to feature in the finals.
Blicavs and her side face a crucial Wednesday (tonight) clash with Townsville at home, with the top-of-the-ladder Fire looking to end the Rangers’ slim finals hopes.
