By Lachlan Onions
A FIRST-quarter blitz from Geelong United set the scene for the Mount Gambier Pioneers women’s side as it went down by 10 points in the NBL1 South qualifying final at Wulanda on Friday night.
The Pioneers were placed on the backfoot from the outset as Geelong imposed itself on the contest and fought hard to take a 31-20 lead at quarter time.
The visitors’ momentum continued into the second stanza as they hit the ground running to score the first eight points of the term and extended the lead to 19 points.
From there, Mount Gambier was always playing catchup as it faced an uphill battle to get back into the game.
The Pioneers managed to give themselves a glimmer of hope as they reduced the deficit to 15 points at half time but Geelong was still in the box seat.
United held its nerve throughout the contest as every time the Pioneers found some momentum, the away side hit back.
Geelong extended the lead to a game-high 22 points late in the third term and it was going to take a miracle for the Pioneers to get back into the game.
A late run to end the quarter meant Mount Gambier trailed by 17 points at three quarter time but the odds were still stacked against the Pioneers.
The Pioneers managed to win the final quarter 23-16 but it was only a consolation as Geelong held on to claim an 86-76 victory.
It was a dominant team performance on both ends of the floor from United and five players scored 13 points or more, with Sarah Elsworthy and Chantel Horvat leading the way with 18 points each.
Horvat also recorded a double-double with 13 rebounds in a comprehensive display.
For the Pioneers, Zitina Aokuso, Miela Goodchild and Haliegh Reinoehl led the scoring with 15 points each, while Sherrie Calleia (11) and Isabella Brancatisano (14) also made handy contributions.
Despite the disappointing result, not all hope is lost for Mount Gambier as it will return to Wulanda on Friday night for a do-or-die semi final against the Ringwood Hawks.
The winner of that contest will then face the unenviable task of travelling to take on the undefeated Bendigo Braves in the preliminary final the following weekend.
