By Trevor Jackson
IT was a mixed weekend for the Mount Gambier Lakers women, with a win and a loss in Round 15 of the Country Basketball League season.
The Lakers claimed a solid victory over Horsham Hornets on the road on Saturday, before going down by just three points against Portland at the Icehouse on Sunday.
In the opening clash of the round the Lakers had to fight back from a first-quarter deficit, as the Hornets made a fast start and applied scoreboard pressure.
However, they turned a six-point deficit into a four-point lead at the main break after some strong play around the basket.
From there the Lakers controlled the contest, with an 18-14 third term, before running the final quarter out for a 19-12 result.
In the end the Lakers claimed a hard-fought 71-56 victory, built around solid returned from Sarah Ritter (16) and Mikaela Horrigan (15).
Ritter’s score came from all two-points baskets, while Horrigan showed some prowess outside the arc, with two three-point bombs to boost her numbers along.
Cara Nulty also reached double figures with 11 points, nine of those coming from outside the three-point arc.
Another slow start against the Coasters on Sunday forced the Lakers to play catch-up basketball early.
The five-point deficit was corrected in the second term as the two sides drew equal heading to the main break.
The Coasters had the better of the third term by two points, then the game went basket-for-basket down the stretch, with the Lakers unable to land a decisive blow.
The Coasters won in an entertaining contest 54-51.
Ritter was absent from the game, but Keryl Ousey was up to the task and finished with a team-high 13 points.
Horrigan again finished in double figures, this time with 11 points, while Ambah Beveridge also contributed 11 points.
The Lakers now enjoy a bye before the playoffs begin.
