A National Basketball League (NBL)1 individual points record game to Steph Reid has led her Frankston Blues to a massive 47-point victory over Launceston Tornadoes to highlight Round 5 of the competition. Reid’s 50 points were made all the more remarkable, shooting at 76 per cent from the field, including seven of a possible eight attempts from three-point range. Along with her 50 points, Reid had a massive 10 assists and seven steals, as well as two rebounds. Along with Reid, JoAnna Smith scored 17 points and had seven rebounds and two steals, while Saraid Taylor finished with 17 points, a rebound, an assist and a block. For the Tornadoes, Brittany Hodges scored 19 points and equaled her points with rebounds including 11 off the defensive boards. Meanwhile Stella Beck and Sarah O’Neill combined for 27 points and 23 rebounds.

Launceston Tornadoes also went down to Eltham Wildcats 94-80, the next day. Hodges posted 27 points and 14 rebounds despite the defeat, while Beck had 14 points, nine rebounds and five assists. For the Wildcats, the points were shared around as Chelsea Schweers led the way with 28, four rebounds and two steals, while Margaret Mulligan picked up 11 rebounds to go with her 19 points and six assists. Abbey Ellis (18 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals) and Chelsea Brook (14 points, five rebounds and six assists) were others who stood tall in the win.

Bendigo Braves’ reign at the top continued with a narrow seven-point win over Hobart Huskies on Friday night. The Braves led by four at the first break but found themselves down by eight at half-time. Still trailing by four at the final break, the Braves put the foot down and powered to a 25-14 quarter to win 79-72. Kelly Wilson (27 points, 11 assists and five rebounds) and Tessa Lavey (16 points, six rebounds, seven assists and six steals) were the two that did the most damage, while Gabrielle Richards was important off the boards with 12 rebounds to go with her 11 points. For the Huskies, Sheniqua Greene had a stunning 31 points and 18 rebounds and was the clear standout player, while Ellie Collins sank 14 points, seven assists and seven rebounds in the game.

Hobart Huskies also had a close loss at the hands of Ringwood Hawks who produced a 20-13 last quarter to record an 84-73 win at The Rings. Antonio Farnworth scored 28 points, five rebounds and three assists in the win, while Cassidy Mihalko scored 13 points, 10 rebounds and three assists. For the Huskies, Jennifer Schlott had 17 points, three rebounds and two assists, while Nikki Greene posted eight points and 10 rebounds on debut. Ringwood made it two from two across the weekend with a 93-84 victory over Diamond Valley Eagles. Farnworth scored 32 points and had 11 rebounds as well as three assists, while Mihalko scored 22 points, six rebounds and two steals. For the Eagles, Shelby Chesiek, Anneil Maley and Hope Terdich all scored 16 points and combined for 32 rebounds.

Southern Sabres upstaged Melbourne Tigers by six points, recording a 66-60 victory. Rachel Jarry scored 16 points, 13 rebounds and six assists in a big game for the Sabres, while Tenaya Phillips and Ella Batish combined for 24 points, 12 rebounds and six assists. For the Tigers, Katie Bugden scored 16 points and six rebounds, while Monique Conti managed 15 points, 11 rebounds and three assists in the loss. In their second game of the round, Southern Sabres were well beaten by Kilsyth Cobras with the home side triumphing 92-60. Klara Wischer scored 24 points, six rebounds and two steals, while Kara Tessari (21 points, four assists and two steals) and Clare Camac (19 points, three assists) were also good. For the Sabres, Phillips top-scored with 13 points, while Morgan Riley had 11.

Up north, Albury Wodonga Bandits defeated Ballarat Rush by eight points in an exciting contest. Down by four points at the final break, the Bandits scored 24 points to 12 in the last term to run over the top of the Rush. Natalie Hurst scored 24 points and had nine rebounds and three assists, while Emilee Harmon finished with 18 points and seven rebounds for the winners. Ballarat guard, Olivia Hackman had 22 points, seven rebounds and two assists, while Georgia Amoore finished with 15 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals.

Geelong Supercats produced an impressive victory over Waverley Falcons, running away with an 83-54 victory. Sara Blicavs top-scored with 22 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and five steals, while Isabella Brancatisano had 15 points, four rebounds and two steals. Zitina Aokuso and Alex Duck were good around the court, combining for 14 rebounds and eight assists as well as 20 points. For the Falcons, Renae Mokrzycki scored 13 points, five rebounds, three steals and two assists. In other results, Dandenong Rangers defeated Eltham Wildcats by 18 points courtesy of 22 points from Aimie Clydesdale and Colleen Planata, while Mulligan was the best for the Wildcats with 18 points and 15 rebounds. Nunawading Spectres also got over Knox Raiders by three points, with Kathleen Scheer posting 21 points, six rebounds and two assists, while for the losing side, Lauren Scherf was the best with 24 points, 16 rebounds and four steals.

Round 5 results:

Bendigo Braves 79 defeated Hobart Huskies 72
Melbourne Tigers 60 defeated by Southern Sabres 66
Albury Wodonga Bandits 76 defeated Ballarat Rush 66
Dandenong Rangers 83 defeated Eltham Wildcats 65
Frankston Blues 114 defeated Launceston Tornadoes 67
Nunawading Spectres 82 defeated Knox Raiders 79
Ringwood Hawks 84 defeated Hobart Huskies 73
Kilsyth Cobras 92 defeated Southern Sabres 60
Diamond Valley Eagles 84 defeated by Ringwood Hawks 93
Waverley Falcons 54 defeated by Geelong Supercats 83
Eltham Wildcats 90 defeated Launceston Tornadoes 80