Southern appear to have their season back on track after a solid performance Saturday night.

After an early arm-wrestle, the Tigers downed the Panthers at home with a comfortable 14-point win, to improve their record to 2 and 2.

In Teresa Kinross’ first match against Southern since returning to South, the Panthers were exposed for the second week in a row inside, outscored by the Tigers 22-8 in the paint. Both teams struggled to find any sort of offensive rhythm early, Southern relying on Stana Vecevic  (21 points, 14 rebounds) mopping up under the basket to keep the scoreboard ticking over in the first half.

Meanwhile Lauren Fisher (9 rebounds, 5 steals) was doing all she could to keep the Panthers in it, providing hustling defensive efforts and tough rebounding to compensate for her side’s 28% shooting from the floor on the night.

Despite South’s shooting woes, the road team managed to find themselves only 6 points down at the main break, Karen Rokicinski finding the bottom of the net from the short corner off a nice assist from Kinross close to halftime to stay in touch.

Whatever coach Leigh Scott said to his squad at half time clearly worked, the Tigers breaking the game open with a withering offensive outburst after the long break led by sharp-shooter Kelsie Rutland. Rutland unloaded her game-total of 11 points in the space of a few minutes, firing three unanswered triples and a long outside jumper to spark the Tigers offence and generate a commanding 21 point lead midway through the third, the 20-5 run facilitated by the home side’s increase in defensive intensity, causing a string of South Adelaide turnovers and rushed shots.

Kinross (15 points, 6/21 FG) eventually arrested the slide with back-to-back three-pointers of her own, but by then the damage was done. South’s lack of offensive firepower and Southern’s suffocating defence made their 16-point lead at¾ time seem insurmountable.

South’s scoring woes continued in the fourth quarter, the Panthers unable to score a basket until Sophie Byrne sunk a short jumper with 5.27 left to play.

Southern will hope to build on their recent good form when they take on Sturt next week, whereas South will need to shake off their offensive struggles in order to knock off third-placed Mavericks and record their first win of the season.

Southern Tigers 69 (Stana Zecevic 21, Kelsie Rutland 11, Denelle Fawcett 10, Haley Bunce 10)
South Adelaide Panthers 55 (Teresa Kinross 15, Sophie Byrne 8, Karen Rokicinski 7)

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By Lachlan Sellar