After a disappointing two point loss to Sturt last week, the Tigers women were back at home this week and looking for redemption. Last year’s preliminary finalists celebrated Mollie McKendrick’s 50^th game in style, with a commanding 61 point demolition of South Adelaide. McKendrick herself was busy, scoring 23 of Southern’s 96 points. Tara Dodman was also busy, scoring 14 points. The Tigers got off to a quick start, scoring the opening basket through a classy lay-up by McKendrick. The Panthers responded shortly after, scoring their first through a Teonna Campbell free-throw, but it wasn’t enough. From that point on, it was all Southern, and they went on to lead 24-13 at quarter time. Southern came back from the break clearly re-energized. Their ball movement was excellent and their defence was sublime. South Adelaide couldn’t find a way through and were forced to shoot from outside the paint. Poor accuracy was a key flaw in South Adelaide’s game, and it wasn’t just due to Southern’s defensive pressure. The Panthers also missed 9 free throws and as a result, were restricted to just five points for the quarter.

After half time things weren’t much different. Southern’s defensive pressure continued to be outstanding, but South Adelaide did at least manage to tighten up their free throw shooting, scoring their first goal of the third quarter through a free throw by Phoebe Wittwer-Smith. Whilst Mollie McKendrick and Alex Green were tearing apart the Panther’s defence, Teonna Campbell and Hayley Bunce were trying to make something happen at the other end. It was to little avail however, and the Tigers went into the final break with a 50 point lead. The rest was really just a formality with Denelle Fawcett sinking three in a row for the Tigers to stretch their lead even further. The final quarter was more even, with South Adelaide rallying a little to score 10 points, but it was too little too late and the Tigers went on to claim a commanding 96-35 victory. McKendrick finished with 23 points, Dodman with 14 and Alex Green and Denelle Fawcett had 10 each. Meanwhile for the Panthers, Teonna Campbell top scored with 15 points and Hayley Bunce had 9. Kathryn Aitken was next best with 3.

The Tigers can take a lot of positives from this game. Their defensive pressure was excellent, their ball movement was sublime, and they made very few skill errors. Overall they just seemed to put in a little more effort than the Panthers. The Tigers take on bottom-placed Central Districts next week full of the confidence that can only come from a huge win. South Adelaide travel to Woodville to take on the Warriors in what looms as a crucial game for both teams as they each look to notch up their second win of the year.