Trevor Jackson
IT was a tough loss for the Mount Gambier Pioneers women against the Ringwood Hawks in the NBL1 South qualifying final on Saturday.
It came after a strong opening term from the Hawks, who took a six-point advantage to the first break.
It was not through a lack of effort, as Haliegh Reinoehl and Cassandra brown were on fire early, with eight and seven points respectively for the quarter.
The Pioneers turned their fortunes around in the second term on the back of a 10-point quarter from Hannah Young.
Young led the Pioneers to a 24-13 term to take a handy five-point advantage to the main break.
Brown extended that early in the third quarter with a three-point jump shot before the Hawks responded with a two.
From there the game went basket for basket, until the Hawks tied the game up mid-way through the term.
An arm wrestle ensued, with the Hawks back in front by two points at the final break.
Again there was nothing in the contest in the final quarter but it was the Hawks who made the most of their opportunities to run out 77-71 victors.
Brown top scored for the Pioneers with 20 points, joined in double figures by Young with 16 and Reinoehl with 15.
The Pioneers now face a tough Waverley Falcons tonight (Friday) in a semi-final at the Icehouse.
Last time the two sides met was in the final minor round of competition, with the Falcons claiming the honours by just six points.
Rebecca Cole did much of the damage, with 31 points and six rebounds for the victors.
Renae Mokrzycki was another damaging player, with 18 points and 10 rebounds.
The Pioneers will need to close those two players down if they are to claim the win and move onto the preliminary final on Sunday.
They were the only two players to reach double figures, while the Pioneers shared the scoring around much more.
Cassandra Brown was in impressive touch, with 18 points and 13 rebounds, while Cherrie Calleia, Shakera Reilly and Hannah Young all reached double figures.
Should the Pioneers claim the win they will face Bendigo on the road to advance to the grand final to following week.
Friday’s game tips off at 7.30pm Central Standard time.
