Redbacks squeeze past Lady Cougars in overtime

The Perth Redbacks have defeated the Cockburn Cougars 74-63 in overtime at Wally Hagan Basketball Stadium in the women's State Basketball League on Saturday night.

Despite an unscheduled 15 minute break midway through the fourth quarter, due to the venue power failure, the Redbacks were forced to come from behind when the Cougars, who trailed by at least 10 points during the second term and nine points in third quarters took the lead in the last 90 seconds of regular time.

Stephanie Sauter looked to have nailed a buzzer beater as the siren to end the fourth quarter sounded only for the officials to overrule it and send the game into a deciding five-minute period.

Marita Payne though steadied for the visiting Redbacks to guide her team to the win with 10 of her team-leading 23 points coming in the overtime period. Others to impress for the Redbacks were Brooke Hiddlestone (16 points, 8 rebounds) and Nadia Italiano (11 points, 6 rebounds).

The Perth side notched up their second consecutive win for season 2012 after defeating the Kalamunda Eastern Suns at home on Friday.

Meanwhile, Cougars’ centre Stephanie Jones led all scorers with 27 points and 15 rebounds, while Taryn Priestly (11 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists) was next best for the home side, just shading out Christie Simpson (9 points, 8 rebounds).

The visitors made the most of the first quarter through Hiddlestone and Payne, while Jones and Alyce Roberts ensured the Cougars kept the quarter time deficit to only two points. Early foul trouble for Redbacks’ guard Kerise Delcoure had the Perth fans nervous though replacement Nadia Italiano filled in perfectly during the first term.

Payne and Gabby O’Sullivan pushed the Redbacks’ lead out to six early in the second term, while some key defence under the basket by Sauter allowed Hiddlestone to stretch the gap to 10 midway through the second term.

Despite Roberts missing her shot for two, the Cougars rebounded through Jones and Lauren Gandini with a buzzer beating shot, just inside the top of the arc, to stay within reach at the half time break.

Leading by three at the half, the Redbacks pushed their advantage out to nine points through the hot-hand of Italiano, while Everard, Jones, Priestly and Chelsea Evans all combined to reel the deficit back to just three points at the last change.

The Cougars tussle with the Wanneroo Wolves at Joondalup tomorrow afternoon, while the Redbacks host the Perry Lakes Hawks on Saturday night before travelling to Joondalup a day later to take on the Wolves.

Article by Adam McBride at Wally Hagan Stadium
Photo by Marg Prior

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