The "Waatu" remained competitive in both contests but ultimately USC found what they needed to close out both games in the final stanza. Photo supplied by Adelaide University Sport/Picture IT Sports Photography
Taylor made performance from Sunshine wanes off Waatu
The Waatu Women put in a second competitive effort in a row as they went down to USC 55-64 at the St Clair Recreation Centre.
USC guard Jess Johnston (Paramedic Science) continued her strong start to the season with 19 points, nine rebounds and seven assists but it was also her centre Brooke Taylor (Recreation and Outdoor Sport) who had a standout stat line. Her five points, nine rebounds and six blocks-controlled air traffic around the basket in a game littered with second chance opportunities – with the Waatu rallying multiple times to run their way back into the contest.
The Waatu went on several 7-0 runs and even produced a 12-2 run in the second quarter to close the margin driven by skipper Evie Lovell (PHD in Medicine) with 14 points and four steals and Tiara Hatchard (Physiotherapy) with 11 points, seven rebounds and four steals. Co-skipper Jo Harris (Civil Engineering) also kept the Waatu in the game with her effort on the glass with 11 rebounds including 10 offensive to pair with her four points and three steals. The Waatu have shown encouraging signs under coach Jawan Stepney with Scarlett Miles (Law and PPE) stringing together another solid game with seven points and 14 rebounds but foul trouble hampered her impact on the game in the final quarter – which slowed down the Waatu’s comeback.
Hunt steps up despite USC Campbell clinic
A highly entertaining game of UBL came from unlikely sources however the Waatu couldn’t reel in a clinical Campbell led USC 71-85 at the St Clair Recreation Centre
Toby Campbell (Education and Outdoor Recreation) was a dominant force with a double double of 20 points at 54 percent and 17 rebounds along with Callum Parsons (Sports & Exercise) with 11 points and 12 rebounds who eventually held off the Waatu.
Despite Lachie Hunter, Steve Parfitt and Nic Fassos missing – Fassos NBL1 teammates in Toby Hunt (Mechanical Engineering) and Harry Reemst (Chemical Engineering) along with Eddie Steele (Civil Engineering) stepped up to the plate. Hunt dropped a career high 25 points and five rebounds while Reemst was efficient with 15 points, seven rebounds and five assists. It was Steele who added some metal to the Waatu with 19 points including five triples for 60 percent from the field. The Waatu gave up 22 offensive rebounds which the Sunshine Coast converted to 19 of their points and proved the difference statistically in the match.
Both Waatu teams hit the road this week for the first time in 2023 as they head to Ballarat Tuesday to play the Federation University Falcons then Wednesday to play new team the Australian Catholic University (ACU).
RD 2 Women AU Waatu 55 (Lovell 14, Hatchard 11, Haigh, Miles 7) defeated by USC 64 (Johnston 19, Fleming 12, Whittet 8)
RD 2 Men AU Waatu 71 (Hunt 25, Steele 19, Reemst 15) defeated by USC 85 (Campbell 20, R Morris 14, S Morris 13, Parsons 11, Fullarton 8)
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