ELTHAM Wildcats have advanced to the next round of the NBL1 South Women’s finals, after defeating Frankston Blues by 22 points in an elimination matchup over the weekend.

The two sides qualified for the postseason after solid campaigns, but neither could snag a double chance and the game at Dreamstreet Lending Arena on Saturday night was a do-or-die clash. The Blues were favourites after earning the fifth seed and claiming home court advantage, just one win from a spot inside the top four. On the other hand, Eltham snuck into the finals by just a solitary win with a record of 12 wins and 10 losses.

Frankston utilised its home court to start the game, rallying behind the deafening crowd to take a nine-point lead into quarter. However, the Wildcats flipped the switch after the first change, and it was all Eltham to close out the match. The visitors won the final four quarters of the match, completely taking over all of the momentum, and stunning the Blues in front of their fans. The Wildcats simply fired on the offensive end, while Frankston could not buy a basket for patches of the game. In the end, Eltham claimed a 75-53 triumph to advance to the second batch of finals games.

While the bigger names on the team may have produced better numbers, the importance of Rebecca Pizzey‘s outing off the bench cannot be understated.

Frankston Blues (53) def. by Eltham Wildcats (75)

Rebecca Pizzey – 20 points, five rebounds, one assist, one steal, three blocks

Despite not having the most court time, Pizzey was one of the biggest factors in Eltham’s decisive win on Saturday night, providing a spark in a number of ways.

In just 23 minutes of action, Pizzey registered 20 points, which was the second-most of anyone on the court, and just two behind match leader and star Wildcat Anneli Maley.

Pizzey made the most of her limited looks, shooting an efficient 8/11 from the field, doing most of her best work in the low block, backing down opponents and proving too strong for the Frankston bigs in the paint.

Seven of her eight made field goals were from two-point territory, although Pizzey did make the most of her hot hand and cashed in with a three-pointer in the fourth quarter, as the Wildcats put the game well and truly out of reach.

In fact, 10 of her 20 points came in the last term, as she helped Eltham keep its season alive with a massive win an unexpected upset.

She was also a force on the defensive end, swatting three shots and making life extremely difficult for anyone who tried to challenge her at the rim.

Pizzey was a surprise packet in a surprise win for the Wildcats, standing out whenever she hit the court and proving too big of a handful for the opposition, particularly in the match-sealing final period.