Sania Feagin has returned to her best to spearhead the Adelaide Lightning to a remarkable 85-78 comeback victory over the Geelong Venom and lift themselves off the foot of the WNBL ladder.
With the teams sitting in the bottom two spots on the standings, Saturday’s clash at Geelong Arena was crucial in deciding who avoids the wooden spoon.
The occasion brought plenty of drama. Adelaide were down by 13 points midway through the third quarter, but went on a game-defining 11-2 run late in the third period and into the fourth.
The visitors took the lead with less than two minutes remaining as Feagin couldn’t stop scoring, firing 12 points in the final five minutes to secure victory.
As the outside temperature soared to 37C at tip-off, Feagin sizzled for the Lightning inside, registering 28 points, nine rebounds and two blocks after being held to just eight points against the UC Capitals on Tuesday.
Victory helped Adelaide (6-15) leapfrog the Venom (5-15) on the ladder, as they claimed their second win in four matches.
Steph Talbot (11 rebounds) and Dallas Loughridge were also busy for the Lightning, grabbing 15 points each.
“I talked earlier to the interviewer and she said something about the wooden spoon.That’s all I was thinking about the whole game,” Feagin said.
“I just went out there and hustled.
“(Today) we played together, showed who we are, and stuck together no matter what.”
Geelong missed a golden opportunity to win their third match in four games and open up some breathing room from last place, but scoring just nine points in the final quarter cruelled their chances.
American Mackenzie Holmes (nine rebounds, four assists) and captain Jazmin Shelley (five rebounds, four steals) were typically inspirational, grabbing 23 and 21 points respectively.
“We went away from what was working, that inside presence was so dominant,” Shelley said.
“We just needed to be disciplined.
“If we won some more games, she (Holmes) would be up there for MVP contention. She’s so consistent and an incredible person, so we’re very lucky.”
It was a frantic start for both sides, and Holmes benefited most, sinking nine points as Geelong trailed 24-16 at the first break.
The Venom went on a 12-4 run to start the second quarter, but Feagin and Shelley exchanged buckets, and Geelong led by two at halftime.
Shelley and Shyla Heal continued to pile on the points in the third quarter as the Lightning coughed up turnovers (18), but Adelaide flicked a switch to steal victory.
