SUPER SUNDAY

Supercats women roar into grand final after thrilling win yesterday

A JUBILANT Geelong Supercats have booked their ticket to the inaugural NBL1 Championship game after defeating the Bendigo Braves 83-80 in a thriller at Geelong Arena yesterday.

Geelong led by 12 points going into the final term but minor premier Bendigo threw everything at the home side, only to fall three points shy at the final whistle.

A jump shot from Braves’ Kelly Wilson put Bendigo within the points of the Supercats with only 30 seconds left in the game. The Supercats then called a time-out before starting their 24-second shot clock from the back of the court, but Sara Blicavs was forced to shoot after the shot clock elapsed, giving Bendigo six seconds to send the game into overtime.

But tight defence again, this time from Geelong, denied Bendigo the opportunity to get a shot off, giving the Supercats a thrilling win and sending them to the championship game to face the Kilsyth Cobras this Saturday night.

Rebecca Tobin was solid at both ends of the floor for the Braves, leading all scorers with 23 points and pulling in a huge 20 rebounds.

For Geelong, the front court trio of Ezi Magbegor, Blicavs and Zitina Aokuso continued their impressive form.

Aokuso led the way with 21 points, seven rebounds and four assists, while Blicavs added 18 points, seven rebounds and three assists, and Magbegor 15 points, nine rebounds and three assists.

Supercats coach David Herbert was pleased with the win, but felt the margin should have been greater.

“We led from start to finish, Bendigo made a couple of runs at different times, and you expect that from the calibre of players they have,” Herbert said.

“We had our work cut out for us. I thought we had a great first half, but had lapses of concentration, and maybe were celebrating too early.

“Now we prepare for Kilsyth. They are the most in-form team at the moment, they are playing exceptional basketball. Their players are experienced and street savvy. It will be one hell of a final.”

The Supercats will play Kilsyth in the Championship game at the State Basketball Centre on Saturday at 5pm.

Pictures: STEPHEN HARMAN Supercats star Sara Blicavs celebrates yesterday’s thrilling win, which even had coach David Herbert and the bench on their feet.

Pictures: STEPHEN HARMAN Supercat Alex Duck (above) under the basket; Jaz Shelley (main) under pressure from the Braves; and (right) Sara Blicavs celebrates after the final buzzer.