Photo Credit – Anthony Furina (Via Adelaide University)
3-Minute Read
Women
The Waatu have secured one of arguably their greatest ever victories taking out powerhouse of the competition USYD in a convincing 74-56 win at the State Basketball Centre.
Caitlin Shillabeer (Physiotherapy) sparked the early 8-0 run with some quick points to gain the early ascendancy with Bella Woosnam (Exercise and Sports Science) active in another 7-0 run. Despite no Caitlyn Martin for USYD and Tom Garlepp absent on coaching duties with the U16 Gems – USYD pulled it back with a quick six points thanks to captain Lauryn Walker 19-15 at the first change.
The defence of the Waatu however was keeping Alex Kayrouz and many of her Sydney Comets teammates quiet while Shillabeer kept ticking the scoreboard over as did Jemima Whitton (Viticulture and Oenology) with a pair triples. Both were dishing the damage to keep the Waatu in front 39-30 at the main break.
After a quiet first half Kayrouz rose to the challenge hitting the scoreboard hard for USYD but it was all on the Waatu’s terms with the grinding nature of the game in the home sides favour. Every challenge from USYD was answered by the Waatu and although Kayrouz grabbed 10 points for the quarter- the Waatu still held firm 60-42 with one to play but not quite out of range.
USYD made one final push the start of the fourth with Kayrouz carrying them through the fourth but a string of triples to Meaza Otto (Health & Medical Science) and some strong finishes to Jemma Tredrea (Physiotherapy) helped secure the huge win with now results likely to draw the Waatu to face their opponents once again in the first week of the finals.
Tredrea once again came up big in the match with 11 points, 12 rebounds while Shillabeer had a huge three terms to finish with 17 points and five rebounds. Jemima Whitton’s leadership and influence on the game defensively couldn’t be underestimated either with 10 points, six rebounds and three steals. In the absence of Martin – Kayrouz collated 21 points, eight rebounds and five assists in the finish.
Men
The Waatu Men gave second place a scare but a third term fightback setup the eventual win for the powerful USYD unit 85-92 at the State Basketball Centre.
Ayual Garang (Architectural Design) burst out of the blocks with some big time plays and a huge dunk in the opening for 10 points as both teams traded blows. Matthew Wacher also showed his form of the past NBL1 East season with the North Bears grabbed a quick 10 points of his own to hand the lead back to USYD 20-29 at the first change.
The most potent second term of the season came to be led by Garang again, but soon foul trouble engulfed the mismatch for USYD. Curtis Scott (Health & Medical Science) however overtook him with several of his own as the Waatu grabbed a surprise halftime lead of 43-35.
A 0-9 run out of halftime lead by Robert Moore and Harrison Evans who USYD identified as their own mismatch wiped out the halftime lead quickly for the Waatu. Needing a solution Scott provided the antidote with 14 points of his own to keep the Waatu in touch 57-60 with one to play.
Jake Weinstein who stuck triples in the third hurt again from outside while Scott tried to carry the Waatu home. The longer the final term went on the bigger Evans grew as a target for USYD – Moore on target one too many times for his final 12 points to guide the away side home to end the regular season for the Waatu.
Scott tried hard to get the Waatu across the line with 41 points and three assists producing the second highest individual total for the Waatu in their history. Garang was impactful but hampered by foul trouble with 19 points, five rebounds and three steals. Moore was superb across the full match for USYD with 25 points, 10 rebounds and three assists while Evans second half proved to be pivotal with 18 points, 16 rebounds with 10 offensive boards.
The Waatu Women and Men finish sixth and fifth and will face USYD and UTAS respectively in their quarter finals interstate Tuesday 7 October
Women – AU Waatu 74 (Shillabeer 17, Tredrea 11, Whitton 10) defeated USYD 56 (Kayrouz 21, Walker 13, Oliver 9)
Men – AU Waatu 85 (Scott 41, Garang 19, Mestrov, Thomson 10) defeated by USYD 92 (Moore 25, Evans 18, Jake Weinstein 16)
Finals have arrived for both our teams – Catch all the action against UTAS & USYD from this Tuesday October 7 on the UBL website and stay tuned to the crossoverdribble for match reports and features throughout the season.
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