The Sturt Sabres have secured their third consecutive victory, after holding off Forestville 67-60 at Wayville on Saturday night.

After trailing by as many as 19 early in the third quarter, Jess Fergus (21 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals) inspired a 22-4 run to get the Eagles within a point, before Sturt got back on track to score an important win.

Fergus was clearly the standout player for Forestville, while Georgia Minear contributed 11 points, 6 rebounds and 3 steals.

Reigning Halls Medallist Tess Madgen continued her hot form with her new club, posting 26 points, 9 rebounds and 6 steals. Caroline Burgess had a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds, and Nicole Seekamp added 10 points.

The Eagles’ Tara Buttress made her season debut, starting at Centre in place of Tara Robinson.

The Sabres took advantage of their opponent’s subsequent lack of size by pounding the ball inside, and finished the game with a 43-27 edge in rebounding.

Forestville was confined to perimeter shots, but hung tough early as the teams traded baskets.

Sturt began to take control late in the quarter, but only held a slender five point lead at quarter-time.

 In the second period, the Sabres dominated at both ends, restricting the Eagles to just 6 points, while putting on 17 themselves.

At half-time, Forestville trailed by 16 points, and it looked as though the second half would just be purely academic.

However, a Fergus trey late in the shot with 8.22 remaining in the third ignited one of the Eagles’ biggest runs of the season.

Fergus was dynamic at both ends, while Jamie-Lee Bow, Alex Duncan, Buttress and Minear all scored during a 22-4 stretch over the space of 7 ¼ minutes.

Forestville made up for their lack of height by pushing the ball up the floor quickly before the Sabres had the chance to get back on defence.

The Eagles would have had the chance to take the lead on the next possession, if only for giving up three offensive rebounds that eventually led to a basket from Burgess.

At three-quarter time, Sturt led 45-42.

The Sabres scored the first nine points of the fourth quarter, which pushed their advantage back out to 12, and again Forestville were sitting on the edge of defeat.

The Eagles continued to fight hard, but their great defensive effort was spoiled by their inability to secure rebounds.

A three-point bomb from Minear cut the margin back to eight, but two free throws from Seekamp regained Sturt’s double-digit advantage with 3.19 to go.

With 1.18 to go, the margin was back down to eight and Forestville had possession, however a turnover from Jasmine Trimboli sealed the deal for the Sabres.

 

Defining moment: Time and time again it has been shown that when a team gets on a run and has a chance to take the lead, if they fail to make the most of their opportunity, the opposition quickly accounts for their error. Late in the third quarter, Forestville had all the momentum, and when Seekamp’s trey was off the money, the Eagles had the chance to secure the rebound and look to get out in transition, where they could get another easy hoop and take the lead for the first time since the opening quarter.

However, a missed boxout resulted in an offensive rebound to Hannah Richards, who put the shot back up without success. Again, Forestville undid their good work by allowing Sturt a third chance. Richards was unsuccessful for a second time, and then it was Burgess’ turn to get a board. This time, the basket was converted, and never again in the match did the Eagles have an opportunity of such magnitude.

Sturt verdict: Going into this match, the Sabres had lost two straight to Forestville, so they would be thrilled to pick up a win against their arch rivals. They used their size to their advantage, but showed some signs of vulnerability in terms of transition defence. Their first half was excellent, and they recovered well after the Eagles fought their way back. Madgen has been a massive boost to the team, particularly offensively. Sturt will again be a top regular-season side, so the question mark is over whether they can put their recent finals failure behind them and go all the way.

Forestville verdict: The first half was reminiscent of this season’s Forestville, while the second half suggested they could be on the verge of recovering their form of 2009 and 2010. Without Robinson, the Eagles lack a quality interior player, meaning they must rely heavily on their transition and perimeter offence. Fergus has now been outstanding in three straight matches, but will need much more help than she got in this one. It will be interesting to see if Forestville can replicate their second half efforts against West tomorrow, or whether they return to their first half form.

By James Woite