WNBL: Steph Cumming leads Dandenong to 7 in a row
The Dandenong Rangers are riding a wave with a 7-game winning streak under their belt, and blistering form that looks doubtful for any team hoping to knock them off.
Image Credit: Dandenong Rangers
Despite staying with the Rangers in the first quarter, the Adelaide Lightning’s lack of depth and the Rangers fire power forced them out of the game and into a 79-64 victory for Dandenong.
Sara Blicavs dominated from everywhere, packing 25 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals for the night. She was closely followed by the Rangers’ consistent soldier Steph Cumming who had 15 points, 7 rebounds and 3 steals.
Colleen Planeta stood up for Adelaide with 23 points and 8 rebounds, alongside veteran Laura Hodges with 19 points and 7 rebounds. Unfortunately it was Adelaide’s lack of presence inside that forced this game out of reach, with the rebound count totalling 51-32 Dandenong’s way.
After taking care of the Lightning, Dandenong put themselves two games in front in top position on the ladder after a huge road victory against Perth. Dandenong had their noses in front the entire game and never looked like losing.
The Rangers 21 point win came on the back of a phenomenal effort from Steph Cumming with 22 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists. It was Dandenong’s support from their bench that made the difference, with a combined 43 points to the Perth bench’s 11. Ally Malott had 19 points and Natalie Novosel with 12, alongside the entire Rangers team who all provided an impact.
For Perth, there wasn’t much to rave about compared to their usual standards. Scoring machine Sami Whitcomb was kept to just 8 points, as Antonia Edmondson (14 points) and Ruth Hamblin (14 points) tried to pick up the slack.
Capping off an excellent weekend and earning herself Round 10’s Player of the Week was Steph Cumming, check out all her highlights here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSR_h31qE3I
Leilani Mitchell dominated from all ends of the court in a Thursday night match against Canberra. Despite a worrying late surge from the Capitals, the Flames’ lead was enough for them to hold on to a 73-84 victory.
With captain Belinda Snell out for up to six weeks with a knee injury, it was Leilani Mitchell who stood up in her absence, providing 23 points and 6 assists. Sydney’s towering Jennifer Hamson provided a quality target inside, finishing up with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Marianna Tolo was the Capitals best, finishing with 19 points and 6 rebounds.
Despite overcoming the Capitals, playing four games in eight days caught up with the Flames when they took on Bendigo at home. A concussion to star forward Asia Taylor didn’t help things either, as they ran well out of steam to lose 55-70 to a fresher outfit in the Spirit.
Gabe Richards had a dominant game inside with 12 points and 11 rebounds, while forward Ashleigh Karaitiana had a breakout game with 17 points. Usual front runner Kelsey Griffin was dangerous with 13 points and 9 rebounds.
Jennifer Hamson stood up again for the Flames with 16 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists and 4 blocks. But it was a case of running out of legs for Sydney, who will now relish in a 7 day break to front up at their home court next weekend.
A Suzy Batkovic on a mission was not what Melbourne Boomers would of been hoping to be up against, but never the less the champion veteran tore the Boomers apart with 34 points and 14 rebounds in a monstrous effort.
The Fire proved too dominant for the Boomers overcoming them at home 93-66.
Despite Tegan Cunningham’s valiant effort for the Boomers with 15 points and 11 rebounds, they were brutally dominated inside the paint as Kayla Standish (18 points, 7 rebounds) joined Batkovic in forcing the Boomers out of the game.
Check out all the highlights from Round 10 here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLvbuFyQtq8
Round 11 Previews
Adelaide Lightning vs Townsville Fire
After losing by 18 points to the Fire two weeks ago, the Lightning will be aiming to close that gap and any closer they can make it will be a win for them.
Key Match-Ups:
Colleen Planeta vs Mia Murray
Bendigo Spirit vs Canberra Capitals
After giving the rundown Sydney Flames a hiding in Round 10, the Spirit have sent a serious message to the rest of the league. If the Capitals can play with the hunt they had in the final term against Sydney, they are every chance.
Key Match-Ups:
Gabe Richards vs Marianna Tolo
Sydney Flames vs Dandenong Rangers
Dandenong’s form makes it hard to predict anything other than a win, and with Sydney’s injury woes it will be a tough ask to beat the top team.
Key Match-Ups:
Alex Wilson vs Steph Cumming
Melbourne Boomers vs Canberra Capitals
A possibility for the Boomers depending on how tough Canberra’s game is against Bendigo. However the Capital’s form sits above Boomers and their lack of height will hurt them against Canberra.
Key Match-Ups:
Alice Kunek vs Jazmon Gwathmey
Perth Lynx vs Adelaide Lightning
Adelaide certainly don’t have the best record against the Lynx who are probably reeling from a home-court loss last weekend.
Key Match-Ups:
Ruth Hamblin vs Laura Hodges