An Easter Saturday double-header saw the North Adelaide Rockets and Sturt Sabres go head-to-head with two very different results. See the full game reports below.
North Adelaide Rockets (64) defeated Sturt Sabres (51)
In a tense encounter at The Lights Community and Sports Centre, the North Adelaide Rockets soared to victory over the Sturt Sabres, 64-51.
The now 2-0 Rockets' offence was ignited by Brooke Basham, leading the charge with 21 points and six rebounds. However, the key to the game's success was Genna Anderson. With Ella Batish absent with injury, Anderson stood up off the bench with a double-double of 14 points and 13 rebounds,
How did Brooke Basham do that?! ?
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On the other side, the Sabres struggled to find their rhythm. The runners-up from last season shot poorly, a mere 25.3 percent from the field. Despite shots not falling in, the Sabres managed to keep the game within reach, being tied 51-51 with only four minutes left.
The Sabres stand out was Jasmine Simmons, notching up 14 points, 10 rebounds with three steals. However, the Sabres' inability to convert their shots from beyond the arc, where they shot just 21 percent, ultimately left them without a win.
The North Adelaide Rockets play their next game against the South Adelaide Panthers on Saturday, April 6 streaming live and free via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App.
NORTH ADELAIDE ROCKETS 64 (Basham 21, Anderson and Tayla Corrigan 14)
STURT SABRES 51 (Simmons 14, Zoe Walker-Roberts 12, Matthews 7)
North Adelaide Rockets (62) defeated by Sturt Sabres (104)
The Sturt Sabres took a commanding win on the road, demolishing the North Adelaide Rockets 104-62 on their home court.
The Rockets had no answer for the Sabres inside. They dominated the paint, racking up 52 points alone in the paint. They also showcased their sharpshooting with a terrific 40.6 percent from beyond the arc.
Jacob Rigoni led the way with a strong 17-point performance, while Tobias Dowdell added 15 points and eight rebounds. The Sabres' bench contributed a whopping 49 points, underlining the depth and versatility of their squad.
Noah English beats the buzzer in style ?
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The Rockets faced an uphill battle from the start, struggling to find their rhythm offensively and turning the ball over 22 times.
Despite a valiant effort from Durrell McDonald, who dropped 19 points and Koop McCalop's impressive double-double of 15 points and 17 rebounds, the Rockets couldn't withstand Sturt's onslaught. Their woes were compounded by shooting just 34 percent from the field and a cold 22.2 percent from outside the arc.
Sturt's next game will take place against the Norwood Flames, live on Saturday, April 6 streaming live and free via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App.
Sturt Sabres 104 (Rigoni 17, Dowdell 15, Toby Hunt 13)
North Adelaide Rockets 62 (McDonald 19, Robert Crawford 18, McCalop 15)
