McSpadden Powers Eagles Past Tigers in Thriller

The Diamond Valley Eagles edged out the Melbourne Tigers 90-81 on Tuesday night at Diamond Valley Sports & Fitness Centre in a tightly contested battle featuring 13 lead changes. The Eagles rode an outstanding performance from center Lara McSpadden, who dominated with 29 points on 67 percent shooting and pulled down nine boards. McSpadden was nearly unstoppable in the paint, converting 11 of 16 two-point attempts while also showing range with a triple. Orla O'Reilly added 20 points with impressive efficiency (6-of-8 from the field) and swiped six steals, while Abbey Ellis contributed 17 points, including three from outside. Melbourne stayed competitive behind Ella Tofaeono's 24-point effort on a red-hot 73 percent shooting. Tofaeono was dominant inside, scoring 22 points in the paint and grabbing nine rebounds (five offensive). Sienna Harvey orchestrated the Tigers' offence with eight assists and added 21 points, but Melbourne's 34 percent shooting from beyond the arc (compared to Diamond Valley's 40 percent) wasn't enough to overcome the Eagles' advantage at the charity stripe, where they made 20 free throws to Melbourne's eight. **DIAMOND VALLEY EAGLES 90 (Lara McSpadden 29, Orla O'Reilly 20, Abbey Ellis 17).** **MELBOURNE TIGERS 81 (Ella Tofaeono 24, Sienna Harvey 21, Tylah Hooper 13).** #NBL1East #BallerLife