Super showing

ANTONIETTE Emma-Nnopu produced a career-best performance as the Geelong Supercats women returned to the winners’ list with an eight-point victory over Melbourne Tigers.

Emma-Nnopu (pictured) notched a double-double — 12 points and 11 rebounds — as the Supercats scored a 90-82 victory at the Geelong Arena on Saturday night.

Elevated to the starting line-up after an injury to Aimie Clydesdale at training on Thursday saw her ruled out of the game, Emma-Nnopu, 18, won praise from coach Matthew Paton for her performance.

“We started her in Ringwood when we didn’t have (Rebekah) O’Donnell, but she definitely had a lot more confidence this time around,” Paton said.

“For her to come away with her first NBL1 double-double, I’m really pleased for her. She continues to go from strength to strength.”

Both teams had highscoring first quarters — 25 and 26 points respectively — and scores were tied at the main break.

Then Geelong started the third quarter with a 10-0 run to set up its win.

Supercats’ Sarah Elsworthy led all scorers with 25 points to go with eight rebounds and six assists. Paton was pleased with her defensive efforts against a strong opposition, and the output of his team in the absence of Clydesdale and O’Neill (ankle).

“We knew going into the game everyone had to be ready to play their part,” Paton said. “Ninety points is a great achievement for taking someone with the class of Aimie away. We were able to score and we didn’t have to rely on any one or two people to have a break out game to score that.”