On Sunday against the Southern Tigers, the form of the Mavericks women improved as the players became accustomed to using the height of Beatty inside to score.

She was a major presence both offensively and defensively inside the keyway, altering the visitors’ shots with her reach and size.

Against the Tigers, Beatty finished with 16 points, eight rebounds and handed out four assists.

Southern eventually ran out 27-point winners in an 83-57 result, but struggled early against an improved Mavericks team which surprised most by clinging to the lead until the midpoint of the second quarter.

However, Eastern’s cause was not helped by the loss of experienced player and guard Jo Robbertsen.

In the early minutes of the first quarter, Robbertsen tangled with Southern’s Ashleigh Spencer, with both players falling to the floor.

From that incident, where the referee called a double foul, Robbertsen sustained concussion and took no further part in the game, being conveyed to hospital for treatment.

In the final 5 minutes before half-time, the visitors were able to claw back the lead, and at half time led 39-33.

Late in the third period Southern rattled on 12 unanswered points, setting up an 18 point buffer to open up what proved a match winning advantage 57-39 by the three quarter time break.

During the final term both sides played entertaining basketball, with Eastern compiling 16 points- its biggest quarter score of the season so far – with Williams chipping in for a couple of baskets during the period.

Although resulting in another loss for the women’s team, the match was an improvement in form from the first three outings of the season, where the Mavericks women were comprehensively beaten.

During last Sunday’s outing, the team was competitive for three of the four quarters.

By David Tonks