The Sabres clocked up win number three of the season, beating the Forestville Eagles by 15 points at Wayville.

While Sturt looked the better team on the day, the game remained close with Sturt only leading by one point at half time and five points at the three quarter time break. A strong last quarter by the Sabres ensured that the game was theirs.

Forestville played well early in the match with slick passing around the key, creating some good scoring opportunities. As a result, Sturt tightened up their defence and were much stronger after quarter time, the increased pressure forcing the Eagles into errors.

Molly Lewis from the Sabres showed her silky skills all game, finishing with 18 points, five assists and seven rebounds, deserving the title of best on court.

Aneeka Smith was another of Sturt’s best, displaying incredible endurance with 36 minutes on court. She ended the game with 11 points and three assists. As Sturt’s intensity lifted in the second quarter, it was no surprise that Smith had started to have an impact on the game as well.

Sturt finished the game with a field goal shooting percentage of 37 % to Forestville’s 35%, both teams missing some easy baskets. Sturt made the most of their opportunities from behind the arc with 7 from 18.

Mia Newley was one of Forestville’s best players and made the most of the occasional slips in the Sabres defence. She ended the game with a team high 21 points and 10 rebounds. Teammate Olivia Thompson also had a total of 10 rebounds and her 15 point game made her Forestville’s second highest goal scorer.

Forestville looked better when Monica Bello was on court and they felt the effects of her playing only five minutes of the last quarter. Bello scored six points and had five assists.

Sturt’s Hannah Bowley enthusiastically accepted the win at the end of the game, the Sabres rightfully happy with their 15 point victory. She would also have been pleased with her 11 points and nine rebounds. Sturt’s win proved that they are a forced to be reckoned with and are likely to go far this season.

Sturt Sabres 71 (Molly Lewis 18, Isabelle Daniel 12, Aneeka Smith 11, Hannah Bowley 11)
Forestville Eagles 56 (Mia Newley 21, Olivia Thompson 15, Monica Bello 6)

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By Samantha Thomas