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Dandenong aims to avoid ‘fatigue factor’ in WNBL rematch against Lightning in Adelaide

DANDENONG did not take Lightning lightly when it lost to the WNBL’s eighth-ranked team here last month, but it did lack poise when fatigued — a factor both teams will be aware of going into the rematch.

19.12.2015. Leilani Mitchell. Adelaide Lightning v Canberra Capitals WNBL game at Adelaide Arena. Photo Sam Wundke
19.12.2015. Leilani Mitchell. Adelaide Lightning v Canberra Capitals WNBL game at Adelaide Arena. Photo Sam Wundke

DANDENONG assuredly did not take Lightning lightly when it lost to the WNBL’s eighth-ranked team here last month, but it did lack poise when fatigued.

That’s the opinion of Rangers coach Larissa Anderson, who credited Adelaide for stealing the initiative after Dandenong had rattled up a 17-point lead.

“They started pressing us at the end of the third quarter and into the fourth and our fatigue showed,” Anderson said.

“We did a fantastic job building the 17-point lead but when we fatigued, we made a lot of turnovers.”

With scores tied at 70, Adelaide co-captain Leilani Mitchell took the ball hard to the basket and scored the matchwinning shot as time elapsed.

MORE: Blicav boost ahead of Lightning clash

Since then, the Opals’ star has continued to shine, last week enjoying a 29-point, seven-assist tour de force game against league leader Townsville, a performance built off an almost magical 16-point first period.

She will be a key player again on Friday night at The Lighthouse when the Lightning host Dandenong, before fronting the Rangers again in Dandenong in the next round.

Clearly, the pressing defence which disrupted the Rangers last time will be a strategy Adelaide employs far earlier.

Dandenong has had to rely heavily on playmaker Amelia Todhunter, with fellow point guard Aimie Clydesdale suffering a knee injury early and still only settling back in.

“Aimie has been a big loss to us and it’s put a lot more pressure on Amelia,” Anderson said.

“We have to look after the ball better.

“We feel like we learnt a lot from the last time we played them.”

Hopefully Adelaide did, too.

ADELAIDE LIGHTNING V DANDENONG RANGERS

Friday: 7.30pm, Wayville Sports Centre

Records: Lightning 5-10, Rangers 9-6

Last time: Lightning 72 d Rangers 70, Dec. 6 at Adelaide Arena

LIKELY STARTERS

LIGHTNING: Leilani Mitchell

Mikaela Dombkins

Kelly Bowen

Kayla Standish

Mikaela Ruef

RANGERS: Amelia Todhunter

Stephanie Cumming

Sara Blicavs

Jacinta Kennedy

Annalise Pickrel

Originally published as Dandenong aims to avoid ‘fatigue factor’ in WNBL rematch against Lightning in Adelaide

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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/sport/basketball/dandenong-aims-to-avoid-fatigue-factor-in-wnbl-rematch-against-lightning-in-adelaide/news-story/c95ff8f70aa480415a96513ce739f217