LOGAN Thunder won a decisive third game by just two points to win the best-of-three NBL1 North Women’s Grand Final yesterday. Tied at a game apiece after the first two matches, the Thunder brought the heat and won in an incredible overtime finish, fitting for a title decider.

The first two matches between the pair had been anything but close, with Southern Districts Spartans getting off to the perfect start with a dominant 87-69 victory at Rowland Cowland Stadium. Less than 24 hours later and the Thunder turned the tables on the Spartans with an 89-60 shellacking at the same venue, before an even shorter turnaround resulted in the ultimate thriller, 78-76.

Logan Thunder (78) def. Southern Districts Spartans (76)

Early signs in the match all pointed to the Spartans bouncing back and winning the women’s title much like they had the men’s championship. They only needed two games in that division, but were sent to a third and final. match after a disappointing game two.

However the home team got off to the perfect start with a 21-6 first term, and by half-time the lead had grown out to nine points. Incredibly, the Thunder evaporated that lead within a quarter, and even took a one-point margin into the final break.

In the dying moments of the fourth term, Southern Districts lead 68-65, before a three-pointer off the hand of Amadine Toi with 16 seconds on the clock tied the scores. Despite a respective long-range attempt from each team before the final siren, neither side could score that go-ahead basket.

Instead, the match went to overtime where it took a Leah Scott three-pointer to give her team a one-point lead, again wiht 16 seconds left on the clock. After back-to-back missed shots from the Spartans, the Thunder had the chance to push it to a two-possession game, and while Bride Kennedy Hopoate went to the line and only nailed one, it was enough and the buzzer sounded with Jessica McDowell-White only putting up a rushed shot before it was game over.

Scott’s performance was enormous in the win earning MVP for the Grand Final series, spending all 45 minutes on court and putting up a massive double-double of 24 points and 15 rebounds, as well as four assists and two steals. Mikhaela Cann (15 points, seven assists, three steals and two rebounds) was also prolific, while Vahayliah Seumanutafa (seven points, seven rebounds) and Kendell Heremaia (four points, 11 rebounds) were huge off the boards.

For the Spartans, McDowell-White did all. she could with 24 points, five assists, three rebounds and three steals, while Emily Preston (12 points, nine rebounds), Taylah Simmons (11 points, eight rebounds) and Nicole Fransson (nine points, eight rebounds) chipped in with scoring and significant impact close to the basket.

NBL1 NORTH WOMEN’S GRAND FINAL SERIES SCORES:

Game 1: Southern Districts Spartans (87) def. Logan Thunder (69)
Game 2: Logan Thunder (89) def. Southern Districts Spartans (60)
Game 3: Logan Thunder (78) def. Southern Districts Spartans (76)

Grand Final MVP: Leah Scott (Logan Thunder)