Posted on 20 March, 2010
Knox got the early jump on the Swinburne Lady Cobras who spent the first quarter and a half adjusting to playing together. This was the team’s first time on the same court together and it took some time for them to gel.
The Raiders could not miss in the opening term scoring 28 points to lead by 13 at the first change. The margin had blown out to 17 mid way through the second, with Kilsyth struggling to find the bottom of the hole.
Deanne Smith (22pts, 10rbds, 6ass) began to find her rythum in the second term getting herself to the free throw line while finding her open team mates. Alice Kunek (15pts, 11rbds) hit from behind the arc to draw the Swinburne Lady Cobras within six with three minutes to play, despite Ellie Manou (6pts, 9rbds) being forced to sit in foul trouble.
Kilsyth got within three points early in the third term before Knox went on a 14-0 run to see the margin blow back out to 17 late in the term. Erica McMenamin (13pts, 3/4 3pt) helped cut the margin back to nine at the final break with a nice touch from behind the arc.
Hayley Moffatt (9pts, 9rbds) and Smith continued to knock down their free throws and McMenamin hit another three early in the fourth, as the Swinburne Lady Cobras went on an 8-0 run to take the lead for the first time in the match.
Knox regained the lead momentarily but a third three from McMenamin put Kilsyth up by two and they never looked back, converting their free throws to seal the six point win.
Kilsyth shot at an impressive 83% from the free throw line and out rebounded the Raiders 44-28, both excellent signs for the Season ahead. Coach Cheryl Chambers will surely be talking with her team about the 32-15 turnover count but would take the win in any fashion.
The win gave Kilsyth a six point lead in the Battle for the Cystic Fibrosis Cup which the men were able to secure with a four point win.
The Swinburne Lady Cobras take on the Hobart Chargers Sunday 21 March 2010 at 12.30pm before returning home again on Saturday 27 March to face reigning champions Brisbane at 6.15pm.
2010 Season Membership and Player Sponsorships are still available, call 03 9728 1033 for more details.
