Wilson fires as Mavericks Women stun Bearcats

Eastern Mavericks 92 | West Adelaide Bearcats 83

 

WNBL star Alex Wilson returned home in emphatic fashion on Saturday Night, scoring 32 to lead the Eastern Mavericks to a stirring 9-point (92-83) upset of last season’s grand finalists, the West Adelaide Bearcats, at the Adelaide Hills Recreation Centre.

 

The match, played by two of the league’s most exciting young teams, was a free-flowing and entertaining match, with Wilson (32 points, 7 rebounds, 4 steals) and Kartinyeri (24 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists) leading from the front for Eastern. The Bearcats relied on a much more even spread of scoring, but it failed to drag the Port Adelaide outfit across the line.

 

High expectations surrounded West Adelaide in the weeks leading to the opening round, but it was the Mavericks who impressed early on, as Wilson and captain Jaimi Rock found their range from outside the arc. An anticipated debut for Ieva Nagy (17 points) in Bearcats colours did not disappoint, as she scored a smooth fade-away jumper to steady proceedings for the visitors. But fresh off of a championship for the Sydney Uni Flames, Alex Wilson added another three baskets from range to finish the quarter with 13 points, helping her side to a 29-22 lead at the first change.

 

Stana Zecevic (16 points, 8 rebounds) had 10 points at quarter time, and continued to impose herself on the match as the Bearcats clawed their way back into the contest. Their strong passing plays were proving effective, but were somewhat offset from skilful scoring moves from the ever-present Wilson and Kedeisha Kartinyeri, who proved a constant threat in offense cutting inside for twos or stepping outside for threes.

 

A half-time lead of eight (53-45) was consolidated by the Mavericks, despite the fighting efforts of Vordermaier (16 points, 5 assists) and Langenbrinck (18 points). A Zecevic technical compounded their struggles, as West Adelaide found themselves down 76-65 heading into the final term.

 

A see-sawing final ten minutes saw the Bearcats fight back multiple times to be within 4 points. But crucial points from Alex Wilson, who claimed she was “rusty” after the match, dissipated any pressure and left the visitors staring down the barrel of an opening loss. The Mavericks were able to hold their lead, triumphing by nine points in a performance that will leave plenty of other sides on notice, especially after being ‘written off’ by journalists and analysts alike.

 

“I guess they can eat their words. Our team is here, we’re competitive and we’ll do well…I’ve had one training with the group and we came out and beat West Adelaide when no one thought we would.” said the Murray Bridge local Wilson, who was glad to be able to return home for the 2017 Premier League Season. 


“The girls are a great bunch and being home around my family is awesome. I was really looking forward to playing and getting the win out here tonight makes it even better.”

The Mavericks next travel to Starplex to face the Lions on Saturday night, whilst the Bearcats return home to battle rivals Woodville.




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