NBL1 CENTRAL Round 9 Recap: Saturday

Round 9 of NBL1 Central had stat stuffing star power and one of the great comebacks in NBL1 Central Womens history with the unbeaten team looking gone for all money – but you can never count out the unpredictable in this league.

Here are the results from Saturday’s games:

Spencer splashes to stop Panther sliding streak

Ash “Splash” Spencer turned up big in the second half to stop the Panthers sliding streak at three with an important 20 points, six assist and four rebound and steal effort in her sides 44-84 win over the Eastern Mavericks at St Francis. The Mavs Tayla Levy continued her superb season form with 12 points and six rebounds.  

In the Nicola of time as Sabres survive scare to keep streak alive

About to suffer their first loss of the season at the hands of an Ally Wilson-less Norwood Flames – the Sabres found themselves down by 17 points with three minutes on the clock. That’s when Nicola Mathews launched herself several bombs from beyond the arc including the match winner to keep the Sabres unbeaten 11-0 start alive 68-66 at the Cave.  

Basham near triple double belts Lions

Brooke Basham continues to push for a WNBL contract with another dominate 31 point, eight rebound, seven assist and five steal effort in her Rockets bounce back win over the highly competitive Central District Lions 95-64 at the Lights. Imani Guy also once again resurged in form with 22 points and 15 rebounds in the away sides performance.  

Lloyd launches in second half to monster Mavericks

Lloyd McVeigh produced an incredible second half and third quarter with his 19 points guiding the DJ-less South Adelaide Panthers to a 63-95 win against the Eastern Mavericks. McVeigh finished with 29 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Newly minted Adelaide Sixer Alex Starling returned with a dominant 22 point and 10 rebound double double coupled with four steals and two blocks.

Starling also finished this spectacular play off his own miss finishing with authority…

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Koop gonna hoop in high-scoring contest

Koop McCalop notched 30 points, 15 rebounds and two blocks in his Rockets fourth win on the trot in a high scoring contest against the Central District Lions 113-96. In a big night of contributions Durrell McDonald found gold as “Nugget” went for a season high 27 points, eight assists, six rebounds and five steals with Akech Aliir collecting 20 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Donoven Carlisle nearly triple doubled as well with 19 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists. Branden Jenkins grabbed 24 points and Ngor Nai drained six triples in his 22 point and 11 rebound double double.  

Olbrich and Drmic keep perfect seven intact for Bearcats

Last year’s finalists took it right up to the incoming contenders for the 2023 title with the star power of Illawarra Hawk Lachlan Olbrich and Tasmanian Jack jumper Anthony Drmic overpowering the Woodville Warriors 75-90 in the finish at the Castle. Drmic finished with 26 points, nine rebounds and four assists while Olbrich was a beast on the block with 26 points, 16 rebounds, three assists and two blocks to lead the Bearcats to a perfect 7-0 since Olbrich joined the squad.