Women's webcast
Men's webcast

The Sturt Sabres showcased their defensive prowess in fine style last night, with first their women and then their men recording crucial victories over the Forestville Eagles at Wayville.

The women's game was a thrilling encounter, with both teams struggling to score, before Sturt prevailed 50-49, after a charging foul was called on Kelsey Ireland with just 0.7 seconds remaining in regulation. Despite controlling the tempo of the game and looking the better team for most of the night, Forestville failed to make the most of their opportunities, including several missed free throws down the stretch, which ultimately cost them the game.

Jess Fergus started the game on fire, connecting on three early three pointers to help Forestville to a 17-14 lead at the end of the first period. Early in the second, Caroline Burgess scored first off a post seal and then from an offensive rebound, forcing a Forestville a time out. The rest of the period was all Sturt - the Eagles managing only seven points in the quarter and trailing 24-31 at half-time. Guard Jess Mahony began the third quarter with one of her five steals as Forestville challenged, but Sturt had all the answers, following Forestville's 6-0 run with one of their own. After this run, Sturt would go on to score just thirteen points for the remainder of the half, however in spite of their struggles offensively, Sturt cut off Forestville's transition game, with the margin still at seven going into the last quarter.

Mahony began the fourth the same as she did the third, however her missed free throws summed up Forestville's night. The Eagles continued to control the game, looking the more likely to score, however they just could not get gain the lead, with a number of gettable shots rimming out. The climax was devastatingly close, with neither team able to string consecutive baskets together and build some momentum. Brooke Sidebottom grabbed a crucial offensive rebound off a missed foul shot, but Sturt failed to capitalise. When Sidebottom committed a loose ball foul, Kelsey Ireland had the chance to tie the game from the foul line with 31.3 seconds to go, however she made just one of two free throws. The Eagles got a crucial stop, but their indecisiveness in the final seconds led to a tough drive by Ireland, who was ultimately called for a charge. Following a timeout, Sturt crucially got the ball inbounds, sealing the game and leading them to a famous victory and top position on the ladder.

In the men's game, Sturt began strongly, jumping out to a 17-6 lead after seven minutes. The Sabres were moving the ball well offensively, with plenty of open shots for 36ers duo Jacob Holmes (22 points, 19 rebounds, 6 assists) and Darren Ng (17 points, 2 steals), while not enabling Forestville to get into the running game which helped them to destroy the Mavericks last week. By the end of the first quarter, Sturt led by 9, with Eagles stars Riley Luettgerodt, Brad Sullivan and Brad Gerlach unable to get anything going offensively.

Forestville started the second quarter better, running with a more experienced line-up while Sturt rested their star players. However, following the return of Darren Ng and Tom Daly (22 points) to the court, the Sabres got back on track, with their strong defence forcing Forestville into poor shots and turnovers.

Trailing 42-33 at the main break, Forestville looked the better team for much of the second half, with Luettgerodt (32 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists) and Nick Blair (20 points, 6 rebounds, 5 steals) helping them to get back into the game. In fact, Forestville were within 4 with less than seven minutes to go and had all the momentum. However, their reliance on Luettgerodt and Blair proved their downfall in the end, as Sturt tightened up their defence. Regaining the ascendancy, Sturt executed better down the stretch, getting a good shot every possession, making their free throws, controlling the boards, and holding on for a 94-83 victory.

Sturt are now in a tie for first on the Central ABL ladder, playing fellow leaders West Adelaide at Pasadena next week, while Forestville (third) are at home to Centrals, who lost to Eastern last night.