Despite a great start to the match, the Lakes Entrance Pelicans women were no contest for the unbeaten Pakenham Warriors in their round three Country Basketball League clash at the Lakes Entrance Youth and Recreation Centre last Saturday.
With early points from Mehegan Mehegan and top scorer Nat Bire (12 points), the Pelicans took the match right up to the relentless Warriors,
who eventually found their mojo.
A late lay up to Mia Fielden narrowed the margin to 17 points at the conclusion of the first quarter, 29-12, with the Warriors unstoppable from three-point range late in the term.
Stephanie Nellen (30), Hayley Letts (19), Haydn White (19) and Ebony Sans (11) all capable of lighting it up from downtown.
In the second term Pelican Mariah Kelly picked up two early fouls which saw her take a seat for a bit, while the Warriors continued their shooting rampage, including a huge three from Keauna Mills, while the elusive Letts was proving a thorn in Lakes’ side.
Bire continued her good form at both ends, while first gamer Grace Ingram scored a nice easy lay up to open her account, the Warriors 31-point leaders at half time.
Pakenham continued to pile on the goals in the second half, running out 75-point winners, their outside shooting almost unstoppable and they were lethal on the fast break.
There were some highlights for the Pelicans’ including a three pointer from Kelly Poynton in the third term, but as hard as they tried, they had very few answers for the ladder leader.
The girls have a tough double header this week, with Saturday’s game at home against the Sale Sonics before hitting the road and heading to Warragul on Sunday.
