A HARD-fought win from the Mount Gambier Pioneers women opened Saturday night’s proceedings at the Icehouse, as they faced the West Adelaide Bearcats in round 12 of the Basketball SA Premier League season.
There was nothing to separate the two teams for the entire game, with scores locked at the first and third changes, while the Bearcats held a two-point lead at half time.
The match opened as an arm wrestle – which continued for the full four quarters – with the Pioneers out to a six-point lead with two minutes to go in the first term, before the Bearcats hit back to level the scores at 21-all at the change.
A solid start to the second term saw the Pioneers hold a seven-point advantage in the opening minutes, but again West Adelaide answered, this time with a 12-0 streak to be up by five.
A three-pointer from Pioneers’ captain and American import Amanda Frost broke that run, with the star in impressive form on the night – she achieved a triple double for the first time in her career, with 23 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists.
A couple of three-point jump shots from fellow American Pachis Roberts levelled the scores again, while a two-pointer from Melissa Russell put the hosts back in front.
From there the final minutes went back and forth and heading into the long break just two points separated the sides.
The wrestle continued in the third term and there was no score until two minutes into the quarter, when the Bearcats’ Ashleigh Spencer drained a three-pointer to lead by five.
A two from Spencer followed and the guests were up by seven, but a two and a three from Frost narrowed the margin to two points.
Almost two minutes passed before the next score, when Roberts drained a three-pointer to put the Pioneers in front.
However, the Bearcats refused to back down and the two sides entered the final stanza in a deadlock.
Intensity was high as the fourth term started and again there was nothing between the two teams.
It was not until a three-pointer from Roberts with two-and-a-half minutes on the clock where the Pioneers took the lead and were able to hold it.
A defensive rebound from Maddy Wormald prevented the Bearcats from answering, while Roberts drove to the basket for a two-point layup.
A three-point bomb from Frost put it out to seven and while the Bearcats fought back to five points with eight seconds to go, a free throw and a layup from Frost saw an eight-point win for the Pioneers.
Coach Matt Sutton was impressed with the result, as his team stepped up against a tough opposition.
“They are a really good team and have been playing some really good basketball lately, so it was a big win for us,” he said.
He was pleased with the way the side found another gear when it counted and fought it out until the final buzzer.
Roberts top-scored for the match with 29 points, while Wormald also made double figures with 10.
“Pachis was really aggressive when we needed to be and I thought Maddy Wormald came out aggressive like she did last week, which was really important for our offence,” Sutton said.
To add to the triumph, both Maddy and Olivia Wormald played against their old club, making the victory all the more sweet for the two rising talents.
Sutton said Frost was happy to earn her triple-double, after it eluded her by a single rebound in their last outing.
“It was the first one of her career, so we are really happy for her,” he said.
“What she was able to do on Saturday was important to our success.”
Russell also played a strong and selfless game with seven rebounds and five assists, while youngster Emily Winter scored nine points and pulled in five rebounds.
Looking ahead to this week, the Pioneers face a double header on the road, with games against Norwood Flames and Central Districts Lions.
The Flames will provide a real test, as they sit close to the Pioneers on the ladder, while Sunday’s game against the win-less Lions should result in a victory.
