BASKETBALL returned to RB Robson Stadium in a big way with Wallan’s women securing a gritty five-point win over Surfcoast on Saturday.
Coming off a tough loss to Chelsea, the Panthers came out firing to lead by 12 after the first period.
The game tightened up through the middle two quarters as neither team could put a big run of scoring together, but Wallan remained in control and pushed the lead to 15 with just under 10 minutes to go.
From there, Surfcoast’s Deja Mckinney went ballistic, scoring 15 of the Chargers’ next 18 points in a four-minute stretch that put them in front 66-64.
But Wallan steadied with two quick buckets from Emmie Gardiner and a three-pointer from Kendra Reukers soon after put them back in front by five with three minutes to go.
The Panthers found themselves needing a stop up by three with 30 seconds on the clock, and they forced a turnover on the next possession to all but seal the game.
Clutch free throws from Reukers and Ranika Guyton finished things off for Wallan who are now three wins from four for the season.
Gardiner top scored once again with 22 points, also pulling down 23 rebounds while Guyton was the chief distributor with six assists.
The women’s team return to RB Robson next Saturday night to take on RMIT University, while the men return from their bye against Southern Peninsula in Rosebud.
