Narrow wins for Falcons and Ajax

THE Andy Bay Falcons claimed their second win and Andy Bay Kavanagh fell just short of an overtime upset in women’s club basketball on Tuesday.

Brittany Richards led the way with 20 points as the Falcons beat Varsity 6559 on the back of a strong second quarter.

The Falcons led 1512 at the first break before holding Varsity to seven secondquarter points.

Meanwhile they piled on 20 of their own, Richards contributing nine of those, to lead 3519 at halftime.

Varsity stormed back in the third quarter to close the gap to 4536, spurred on by eight points from Bronwyn Kjestrup.

It continued to pull back in the fourth quarter, but was unable to catch the Falcons.

Alongside Richards — who hit four threepointers — her sister, Zoe, had 18 points for the Falcons, while Alana Wouters managed 13.

Kjestrup and Tara Clement had 14 each for Varsity.

Meanwhile, an understrength Ajax side was taken to overtime, but prevailed 6362 against Kavanagh.

Kavanagh started well and led 3125 at halftime, before Aleisha Ruske and Danielle Frost combined for 18 third quarter points to close the deficit back to 4545 at the end of the third quarter.

Ajax led 5554 late in the fourth quarter, before what proved to be a contentious foul sent Kavanagh’s Dre Whaanga to the line.

Whaanga hit one of her free throws to tie things up and force overtime.

But it was Ajax that was able to close out the win, getting scoring from four different players to win the extra period 87.

Frost and Ruske led the way for Ajax with 25 and 18 points respectively.

For Kavanagh, Annabelle Ring had 22 and several others chipped in with between seven and 10.