Sport
15 October, 2024
Blazers unable to contain Bacchus Marsh away
The Maryborough Blazers had a tough weekend at the office, going winless in their two clashes with the Bacchus Marsh Lions.
The Lady Blazers kicked off proceedings at Moorabool Aquatic and Recreation Centre on Sunday afternoon with a big boost, regaining the services of Maddy Egan and Keisha Tonzing to boost their frontcourt stocks.
However, the Lady Blazers were very well held in the opening term, scoring just six points as the Lions defended stoutly.
As a result, that saw Bacchus Marsh open up a 16-point lead at the first change.
The second term was much better from Maryborough as they slowly got themselves into the game.
In particular, it was Maggie Tranter and Egan driving the Lady Blazers offensively, and they were able to stop the Lions scoring with the ease they were able to in the first quarter.
As a result, Maryborough closed to within 12 points at half time, trailing 22-34 after a 16-12 quarter.
But what hopes Maryborough had of securing a comeback victory were relinquished in the third quarter, as the Lions again went on a run which would break the game open, scoring 20 points to nine in the quarter to lead 54-31 at the final change.
Maryborough were competitive in the final quarter, restricting the Lions to 16 points, but couldn’t make inroads on the margin, scoring 12 themselves to eventually lose by 27 points, 70-43.
Tranter was the Lady Blazers’ leading scorer with 12 points, while Egan finished with 10 points. Aislinn McCarthy scored seven points and Tonzing added six.
It was then the men’s turn to take on the Lions, and again, it was an ambush from Bacchus Marsh which helped set them up from the outset.
The Lions opened up with a 26-15 start to open up an 11-point lead at the first break.
However, with Bailey Jacobs in particular firing, the Blazers would storm back into the game in the second quarter, scoring 23 points to 15 to reduce the margin to three points at the main break, with the Lions leading 41-38.
The break provided Bacchus Marsh with the opportunity to regroup, and they were able to do so by putting the game to bed during the third quarter as they overwhelmed the Blazers’ defence.
That resulted in the Lions scoring 33 points to 19, and extending their lead to 17 points by the final term, leading 74-57.
The Blazers did finish off the game by winning the final quarter, scoring 19 points to 16, but it was too little, too late, with the Blazers losing 90-76.
Jacobs was superb in defeat, scoring 29 points, which included three three-pointers and seven two-pointers, while Angus Cumming had one of his best outings at the Blazers, scoring 13 points. Lachlan Drummond also contributed in scoring 12 points.
Both teams will have a double header this week, with both Blazers teams venturing to Bendigo on Saturday night. On Sunday, the teams will be split, with the Lady Blazers travelling to Kyneton, while the men’s will have their first home game of the season, taking on Castlemaine at the Maryborough Sports and Leisure Centre.