Feature images via: Jack Riddiford | @jackriddiford.creative
The Darwin Salties hit the road for the first time this NBL1 North season and were impressive with Courtney Woods and Makuach Maluach starring in the wins over the Cairns Dolphins and Marlins.
It was a pair of victories on the road on Friday night to open Round 4 in the NBL1 North for the Darwin Salties, winning the women's clash over the Cairns Dolphins 104-86, and then defeating the Marlins 103-74.
RECAP NBL1 NORTH | ANZAC ROUND SUNDAY
WOMEN
Cairns Dolphins (86) lost to Darwin Salties (104)
The Darwin Salties continued their unbeaten start to the season and began their road double with the Friday night 104-86 victory against the Cairns Dolphins.
The Dolphins were back home at Early Settler Stadium still hunting a first win of the season hosting a Salties team who won their opening three games of 2024 all up at home in the Top End.
It was a high scoring opening from both teams as they combined for 53 points with Darwin leading 28-25 by the end of one but it was in the second term where the Salties took control.
Darwin pushed out to a 16-point lead in the second frame on the way to leading 52-40 at half-time and then the Salties continued to push further ahead throughout the second half.
The Salties advantage grew to 23 points in the third quarter and 25 in the fourth before they went on to win by 18 and improve to 4-0 on the season having scored the win in their first away game.
Courtney Woods once again led the charge in the win for Darwin with 24 points, nine assists, six steals and four rebounds on a perfect shooting night going 9/9 from the floor and 3/3 from deep.
Ashley Harris added 17 points and five rebounds, Ruby Porter 14 points, five assists, four boards and three steals, Abigail Curtin 13 points and eight rebounds, and Sophie Johnson 12 points and three boards.
Leichan Williams did all she could to keep Cairns in the contest with 28 points, nine rebounds and three assists on 12/15 shooting.
Samantha Keltos also had 16 points and six rebounds for the Dolphins, Taryn Bond 13 points and five boards, Teyahna Bond 12 points and three rebounds, and Saje Evans 10 points and two boards.
The Salties now head to Townsville to take on the Flames on Saturday night while the Dolphins don't play again until being away to the Northside Wizards on Friday and Sunshine Coast Phoenix on Saturday next week.
CAIRNS DOLPHINS 86 (Williams 28, Keltos 16, Taryn Bond 13)
DARWIN SALTIES 104 (Woods 24, Harris 17, Porter 14)
MEN
Cairns Marlins (74) lost to Darwin Salties (103)
The depth of talent at the Darwin Salties was again on show as they hit the road for the first time in 2024 and beat the Cairns Marlins 103-74.
Darwin had won two of three games at home to start the season in the first three weeks and hit the road for the first time on Friday night to take on a Cairns team also with a 2-1 record coming into the contest.
The Salties made a terrific start opening up a 14-point lead in the first quarter and still by quarter-time they were leading 28-18.
That advantage got out to 16 in the second term as well for Darwin and by half-time the visitors remained in control on top 54-38.
It was more of the same in the second half with the Salties pushing their lead out to 27 points in the third quarter and then 36 in the fourth on the way to the eventual 29-point victory.
The win improves Darwin to a 3-1 record on the season with six players scoring in double-digits highlighting their quality and depth.
Makuach Maluach top-scored with 21 points, six rebounds and two steals with Chier Maker adding 17 points and eight boards, and Deba George 17 points and two rebounds.
Sean Macdonald also had 16 points, eight rebounds and five assists coming off the NBL championship at the Tasmania JackJumpers with Kouat Noi contributing 15 points and nine boards, and Wani Swaka Lo Buluk 10 points, two rebounds and two assists.
The Salties now head to Townsville to take on the Heat on Saturday night while the Marlins don't play again until being away to the Northside Wizards on Friday and Sunshine Coast Phoenix on Saturday next week.
CAIRNS MARLINS 74 (Kody Stattmann 18, Dennis 14, Ky Stattmann 11, Pitman 11)
DARWIN SALTIES 103 (Maluach 21, Maker 17, George 17)
