Reigning Rookie of the Year Cayla Francis had 19 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocked shots to lead the ‘Tute while Desi Glaubitz toiled hard to finish with 20 points for Bulleen.
Other good performers for the AIS included Mia Newley, who scored 15 points, and talented forward Marianna Tolo, who posted a leggy 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Both teams came ready to play and traded baskets in a tight opening quarter but it was the Institute that took early honours to lead 22-21 after ten minutes.
They extended the lead to four points mid way through the second quarter before Bulleen rode a 10-0 run to go into the main break ahead by seven points, 42-35.
An Emma Randall jump shot pushed Bulleen’s lead to nine points early in the third quarter before Francis and Newley led a comeback.
The Institute posted a 15-1 run to lead by five points with four minutes remaining in the quarter, but true to the see-saw nature of the game, Bulleen bounced back to regain the lead and with one period to play it led by the barest of margins, 57-56.
Katie Ebzery hit a 3-pointer one minute into the final quarter and the AIS showed great maturity to hold the lead for the remainder of the match, handling everything the Boomers threw at them with grace.
After returning 1 win from 42 games across the 2005/06 and 2006/07 Australian Defence Force WNBBL seasons, the AIS side has come a long way forward to win 8 of 20 games this season.
If they can back up this evening against the injury depleted Lynx and register their ninth victory, the AIS could vault over Bulleen and Townsville all the way to sixth spot.
As hot as the AIS is right now, you could bet on it.
By Bill Baxter for WNBL Media
Photo by Eric Li
