WYNDHAM claimed a win during the weekend’s Big V Women’s Basketball action, downing the Bulleen Boomers to the tune of just six points at Eagle Stadium on Saturday night. It was a result that was driven by the efforts of Dyani Ananiev, who was simply dominant at both ends of the court. She was the standout player from either side, delivering a double-double and playing a vital role in Wyndham’s tense win. Heading into the game, the Boomers had not lost a game in its first nine outings, playing a winning style of basketball and entering the matchup as the favoured side. However, it was Wyndham that proved to be too good as the home team delivered an outstanding second half on the back of Ananiev’s efforts, stealing the lead before holding on in the dying stages.

Wyndham (96) def. Bulleen (90)

Dyani Ananiev – 27 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, five steals, two blocks

Ananiev started the game with some strong efforts at both ends of the court, recording a block and a three-pointer in the first minute of the contest. Her intent in the game was evident early, as she controlled the skies with some big rebounds on both the offensive and defensive ends. Another block came shortly after, as she continued to thwart opposition attacks. Impressively, she was able to match it down the other end as she got hot from behind the arc. After a short stint on the bench, Ananiev returned to close out the first term to drain her third shot from downtown for the quarter.

With the defence wising up and closing down the perimeter whenever she found the ball, Ananiev did not find the going as easy to start the second term. She managed to drain a lay-up in the first couple of minutes of play, but apart from that, she faced too much defensive pressure to get a shot off. One more three did come before the term ended, but she was well held heading into half time.

It looked as if her struggles would continue, with no buckets coming in the first half of the third term. Ananiev managed to break her scoring drought at around the five-minute mark of the period with another shot from behind the arc, as Wyndham began to make a big charge. She managed to get rolling on the defensive end too, as the talented youngster notched up a steal and assist, before hitting a tough and-one and bringing her side within two points after a fair deficit at half-time.

Leading by one point at the start of the final term, Ananiev kicked off the quarter in perfect fashion, nailing a lay-up and extending Wyndham’s scoreboard advantage. She was able to take the ball inside and draw some contact, which resulted in some trips to the free throw line, where she rarely makes any mistakes. Also coming in the final term from an individual standpoint were a number of crucial defensive rebounds, securing the possession for her side and ending up as a towering figure as Wyndham was guided to victory.