WNBL Round 5 wrap

Round Five of the defencejobs WNBL tipped off mid week with an upset, as the Dandenong Rangers beat the Bulleen Melbourne Boomers 78-70 in overtime in the first game of the Michelle Timms Cup at Dandenong Basketball Stadium on Wednesday night.

19-year-old Rangers forward Jenna O’Hea continued her stellar start to the season with a 28-point, seven rebound and two assist MVP performance and now leads the league in points per game (21.9).

Caitlin Ryan contributed 19 points, seven rebounds, two assists, one blocked shot and one steal in support.

Sharin Milner (20 points and two rebounds) and Hollie Grima (18 points and 10 rebounds) were Bulleen’s best.

In Friday night’s ABC Game of the Week, the Townsville Fire registered an amazing last gasp win over the Sydney Uni Flames 92-90 at the Sydney Uni Sports and Aquatic centre.

The lead repeatedly changed hands throughout the night and with 10 seconds remaining the scores were level. The in-bounds pass from Sydney Uni found only open space and Townsville's Rohanee Cox swooped to gain possession. She drove up the court and laid off to a flying Kelly Wilson who sank the left hand lay up, giving the Fire a two-point win.

Renae Camino was outstanding for Townsville, dominating the game at both ends of the court with 28 points and 12 rebounds. Former Sydney Uni player Kelly Wilson turned in her best performance of the season, posting 24 points and four rebounds.

Trish Fallon, with 16 points and eight rebounds, was Sydney Uni's highest scorer, while Natalie Porter added 15 points, two rebounds and four assists. Three players Alicia Poto, Kristen Veal and Michelle Musselwhite - all scored 14 points.

The first of two games on Saturday night saw the Adelaide Lightning defeat a depleted Dandenong Rangers outfit 71-68 at the Distinctive Homes Dome in Adelaide.

The Rangers jumped to an 18-11 quarter time lead thanks to Jenna O'Hea (22 points and six rebounds) and Larissa Cavanagh (16 points and seven rebounds), but the more experienced Lightning outscored Dandenong by 10 points in the next two quarters to establish the three point win, their fourth of the season.

Lauren King scored 22 points and three rebounds to lead Adelaide while Erin Phillips, who missed last week's game due to injury, slotted straight back into the mix to contribute 16 points and five rebounds.

After an energy sapping win over the Flames on Friday, the Townsville Fire were overcome by the defending champion Canberra Capitals 82-63 in front of a healthy crowd at the Southern Cross Stadium in Canberra.

Trailing by nine points at three quarter time, the Fire were outscored 20-10 in the final quarter thanks largely to the efforts of Jess Bibby (21 points and six rebounds) and Tracey Beatty (16 points and 11 rebounds).

Tully Bevilaqua contributed six points, Seven assists and a blocked shot in a game that 2001 WNBA Rookie of the Year Jackie Stiles, who played seven minutes in her return to competitive basketball after injury sidelined her for four years.

Claudia Brassard posted 17 points and five rebounds for the Fire, Rohanee Cox added 11 points and four rebounds, and Renae Camino posted 10 points and seven rebounds.

The Dandenong Rangers, playing in their third game in five days, registered a gutsy 68-64 win over the Perth Lynx on Sunday.

The Lynx sprung to an 18-10 quarter time lead, but four points per quarter were pegged back by Dandenong over the next three quarters and they ran out winners by four points.

Caitlin Ryan was again brilliant, leading all scorers with 23 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals, giving her a total off 55 points from the three games. Jenna O'Hea added 17 points, four rebounds, two steals and an assist, taking her personal tally to 67 points for the three games.

Carly Wilson posted 17 points and Six rebounds and was well supported by Christine Boyd (12 points and six rebounds) and Melissa Marsh (11 points and five rebounds).

"It's been a good week for us," Rangers coach Gary Fox told the Herald Sun. "It's been a tough week with three games in five days, but our girls showed so much heart and character. We just need to keep working and hope that takes us to better things."

Round Five results and top scorers

Wednesday Night:

Dandenong 78 – O'Hea 28, Ryan 19, Cavanagh 10
Bulleen 70 – Milner 20, Grima 18, Glaubitz 11

Friday Night:

Townsville 92 – Camino 28, Wilson 24, Cox 15
Sydney Uni 90 – Fallon 16, Porter 15, Musselwhite 14, Poto 14, Veal 14

Saturday Night:

Adelaide 71 – King 22, Phillips 16, Foley 9
Dandenong 68 - O'Hea 22, Cavanagh 16, Ryan 13

Canberra 82 – Bibby 21, Abrams 17, Beatty 16
Townsville 63 – Brassard 17, Cox 11, Camino 10

Sunday Afternoon:

Dandenong 68 – Ryan 23, O’Hea 17, Cavanagh 12
Perth 64 – Wilson 17, Hays 14, Boyd 12