Whittlesea Pacers’ women fell to Bulleen Boomers 81-67 on the road on Sunday afternoon.
The Pacers were able to get out to a three-point lead midway through the first period before a 13-3 run gave the Boomers a seven-point lead at quarter time.
A 9-0 Bulleen run midway through the second period extended their lead to 13 points before the Pacers started chipping away at the lead in the third to bring the margin back to nine points.
Bulleen started the final period hot, blowing the lead out to 20 points but Whittlesea came back late in the piece but it was too late as the final buzzer sounded.
The Boomers’ shooting was the key to their win, shooting 32-84 (.452) from the field and 13-31 (.419) from three-point range.
Dani Reinwald led the Pacers with 28 points and 20 rebounds, while fellow American Rachel Bell had 25 points, eight boards and four assists.
The Pacers are now seventh on the Big V Championship ladder at 4-10 three games behind McKinnon Cougars and ahead of Casey Cavaliers on percentage.
The Pacers’ men pushed Keysborough Cougars to the limit but couldn’t finish the job, going down 84-78 on the road Saturday night.
After starting well and going to a five-point lead in the first period, the Pacers were quickly put on their heels by a 17-4 Keysborough run and on the wrong end of a 13-point deficit midway through the second.
Whittlesea fought back hard and was able to draw level early in the third before taking a three-point lead.
The Cougars opened the fourth with a big four-point play before Whittlesea once again whittled down the lead to draw level with three minutes to go. Clutch free-throws sealed the win for the Cougars with under 10 seconds left.
Emmerson Potts-Broughton led the Pacers with 14 points, six rebounds and four assists while Jayce Beasley had 12 points, seven rebounds and three assists.
Whittlesea are now 12th on the Big V division one ladder, half a game clear of Latrobe City Energy and two games behind Coburg Giants.
