THE Albury-Wodonga Lady Bandits rallied from a 14-point half-time deficit to stun the Canberra Capitals Academy 72-71 on Saturday night.
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In front of a packed house, easily the biggest crowd the Lady Bandits have enjoyed in some time, the young team played beyond their years against a highly experienced Canberra outfit.
The Capitals were bolstered by the inclusion of two-time WNBL all-star and champion, as well as Australian Opals centre Marianna Tolo, but it was 14-year-old Olivia Barber who almost single-handedly turned the game for the home side.
Coming into the game with four minutes to play in the third quarter and with the Lady Bandits down by 10, Barber hit four straight shots, one from three, and two free throws to cut the margin to just one point.
Barber started the fourth on the bench but came in with five minutes to play and the Lady bandits up by three.
Olivia was gassed after her run in the third quarter, but she came out again in the fourth and hit the ground running. She's a good kid.
- Jim Wilson
The Capitals made it a one point game, but Barber came up with a clutch steal and basket with less than a minute to play to regain the lead.
Free-throws to Tolo gave the Capitals the lead, but she fouled out on the next possession, sending Toccara Ross to the line.
The U.S. import didn’t falter, hitting both shots to regain the lead.
Without Tolo on the floor, the Lady Bandits’ defence was able to force a tough shot, and ultimately the one-point victory.
With emotions running high for the Allen McCowan Memorial game, head coach Jim Wilson said he couldn’t have been more proud of his team’s courage.
“We’ve been close, so for us to get that win is really important for our confidence as a group,” he said.
“It was against a quality Canberra team, probably the strongest team they’ve put on the court in a long time.
“What pleased me most was that it was one of our young guns that sparked us when we were down by 10.”
Wilson said Barber, who finished with a season-high 17 points in just under 17 minutes, had given everything she had.
“I was concerned, she was gassed after her run in the third quarter,” he said.
“The emotion of the occasion sapped it out of her a bit.
“She came back out and hit the ground running.
“She’s a good kid.
“What’s really pleasing about this group is that these are all local kids.
“All of them have excelled when they’ve been given the opportunity, it shows we’re heading in the right direction.”
Barber, Emma Mahady (17 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists), and Toccara Ross (17-7-4) led the scorers for the Lady Bandits.
It was only fitting that the Lady Bandits would fight their way to victory in memory of the late Allen McCowan, who coached the side in 2007 and 2008.
“Was it meant to be? It probably was,” Wilson said.
