Despite an impressive first-half defensive display, the Hoop City Geelong United Supercats weren’t able to contain the unbeaten Bendigo Braves for long enough at Red Energy Arena,
With scores locked at 34 after 20 minutes and Bendigo star Amy Atwell contained to just five points, United gave itself every chance of becoming the first team to knock over the Braves in the NBL1 South women’s competition in 2023.
However, as they have done for much of the season, Bendigo found another gear in the second half, outscoring Matthew Paton’s roster 58-41 on the back of 27 points from Atwell, on its way to a 92-75 victory.
“We went into the trenches with them in the first half,” Paton said.
“While we struggled a little for some continuity and rhythm offensively, I thought we did a really good job of matching them in the contest defensively.
“To keep a team like that to just 34 points for a half was an achievement in itself, but that doesn’t get us the competition points at the end of the day.
“They were better for longer.”
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Fresh from being named in the Opals squad for next month’s Asia Cup, Chantel Horvat reminded Australian selectors of her ability with 21 points, ten rebounds and three assists.
While co-captain Sarah Elsworthy was again solid with 18 points, eight rebounds and three assists.
Paton says the loss off the back of five consecutive wins, including three on the road, was a “reality check”.
“We know we’ve still got some work to do because the road will go through at Bendigo at some point to achieve the ultimate success this season,” he said.
“The positive is that it showed us as a group we have a ways to go.
“But in the locker room after the game, there was a lot of positivity about how much work there is to do and how we can roll up our sleeves and get it done together.”
Geelong United, which sits fifth with a 7-4 win-loss record, starts the second half of its season with the first of five double-headers across the final six rounds this weekend.
First up is a meeting with the Knox Raiders (9th 7-6) at Geelong Arena on Saturday night (June 3) before heading to Keilor (16th 3-9) on Sunday.
Click this link for tickets for Saturday night’s matchup with the Raiders.
