Brave Sabres fall short to Blues at home

The Sandringham girls arrived back at the Sabre dome eager to stop a run of three straight losses, coming up against the Frankston Blues. The Sabres came into the contest in 4^th position, while Frankston sat 11^th of the table in what has been a disappointing season for a team of such talent.

It was the Blues that got off to the fast start, leading 18-13 after the first quarter on the back off a strong start by Frankston star Stephanie Reid. The Sabres hit back in the 2^nd quarter through the dominant duo of Juna Umezawa and Klara Wischer, to lead narrowly at the half, 36-35.

The game stayed very tight in the second half, as Frankston continue to rely on Reid, and run their offense through their star player. Sabres guard, Isis Lopes came to the party as did Keeley Frawley who knocked down some crucial shots from beyond the arc, keeping their side in the game.

The last quarter was full of ebbs and flows as both sides traded buckets, as this one looked set to come right down to the wire. With just a few minutes left Wischer hit a wonderful alley-oop lay-up to level the scores.

However, Frankston’s saviour came in the form of Stephanie Reid, as she produced some spectacular shots late to hand the Sabres their fourth successive loss, running out 82-77 victors.

The Sabres fought gallantly in a game that could’ve gone either way, and will desperately hope to regain sharpshooting star Funda Nakkasoglu, as the side approaches the NBL1 finals. 

For Frankston it was a one-woman army, with Stephanie Reid knocking down 48 points, while also contributing 13 rebounds, six assists and five steals in one of the NBL1 South’s greatest performances. Forward Lauren Scherf also impressed with 15 points.

For Sandringham Juna Umezawa (20 points and eight rebounds), Isis Lopes (17 points and four assists), and Klara Wischer (15 points and 14 rebounds) were crucial contributors.

Keeley Frawley was also brilliant off the bench, with 12 points on 4/7 shooting from three. The side will now look to send retiring champion Brittany Smart out on a high when she plays her last game on Saturday night against Hobart at the Sabre dome.

Written: Connor Burns | Back Pocket Banter
Photographer: Mitchell Barlow