MALLEE Eagles came out with a point to prove on Saturday, beating ladder leading Lake Boga in a 61-51 upset.
It was mostly neck-and-neck for the first quarter, with the Eagles one point up at the break. Once settled into the game, the Eagles ran with it, with the half-time score reading 27-23. Their lead kept increasing from there, finishing the game 10 points up.
Mallee Eagles coach Vicki McDonald was excited to see her side get the win they worked so hard for.
“I think the Eagles’ composure and team effort got them over the line for the four points,” McDonald said.
Lake Boga’s defence line of Emma Peacock at wing defence, Jemma Meehan at goal defence, and Felicity Robertson at goal keeper played well together under a massive workload thrown at them by the Eagles. But noticeable height mismatch against Eagles shooters Kellie Walker and Emelia Bett was too much for the defenders to overcome.
Lake Boga playing coach Anna Archie said her team had a slower start than they would have liked, and lacked punch though the court due to the Eagles’ defensive pressure.
“I’m never one to class a loss as a bad thing,” Archie said.
“After a team debrief we all self-assessed and took ownership of what didn’t work and what did.”
The Magpies retained top ladder position despite the loss.
The Eagles will come up against Tyntynder this week in a game they are likely to win.
The Magpies have a bye next week, but will look to redeem themselves against Tyntynder in round 9.
