MOUNT Gambier Lakers women faced two games on the weekend in round 12 of the Country Basketball League and recorded two wins in the process.
Saturday night saw a tough contest against a determined Bellarine Storm, with the Lakers claiming a dramatic two-point victory across the border.
Sunday saw a home-court contest at the Icehouse, with the Lakers far too strong for the Colac Kookas, recording a huge 49-point victory.
Saturday’s game provided a tough contest for the Lakers, despite the Storm sitting down the ladder in sixth before the match.
It was an even contest early, with the Storm slipping out to a five-point advantage after a few minutes of play.
Olivia Wormald hit a two and closed it down slightly, but the home side would not back off and continued to push hard to hold the lead.
Late in the term Keryl Ousey added a pair of free throws to close the margin to one point, before Sarah Ritter hit three twos and the Lakers went to the first break up by four points.
Ousey opened the second term with a pair of free throws and a two as the Lakers threatened to break away.
The Storm put paid to that with five points in quick succession and regained the lead soon after.
However, the Lakers pushed on and a three from Tara Bryant, plus a late two from Ousey saw the visitors go to the long break with a three-point advantage.
The third term continued in the same vein, as the two sides traded blows and the lead fluctuated.
Olivia Fuller worked hard for the Storm, while the experience of Wormald helped keep the Lakers in touch.
With Mount Gambier down by six points, Ousey again stepped up with a timely basket, while Ritter iced another pair of free throws, but it was not enough to keep the Storm at bay, with the home side leading by five points at the final break.
The final term became a real arm wrestle, as the Lakers looked to regain the lead, but the Storm was desperate to retain the advantage.
Baskets to Ritter and Ousey saw the visitors back in front, only to see Fuller again flex her muscles and regain the lead.
However, in a big final quarter Ousey stepped up with three more two-point baskets and the Lakers claimed an impressive 67-65 victory.
Sunday’s game was somewhat of a miss-match against the win-less Kookas, with the Lakers controlling the contest from the outset, with a 17-2 opening term to set the scene.
That continued in the second quarter, with the Kookas only able to score seven first-half points, while the home side hit 31.
The Lakers added another 23 points in the third term, before running out comfortable 74-25 victors.
Bryant top scored with 21 points as the Lakers dominated all areas of the floor for the full four quarters.
Wormald added 18 and Ousey capped off her weekend with an 11-point haul.
The Lakers now sit second on the ladder behind Warrnambool Mermaids, with seven wins and four losses from their 11 outings.
