United aim to get on winners’ list against Bendigo

GEELONG United will be hoping to record a victory on Sunday afternoon (November 10) in its Round 2 WNBL clash with the Bendigo Spirit.

The league’s newest expansion club will be hoping to find its feet in Bendigo after a tough start to the season thus far.

Geelong’s debut match on Wednesday last week didn’t go to plan, going down 58-84 to the champions of two years ago, the Townsville Fire.

Captain Keely Froling top scored for United, putting up 15 points and 7 rebounds on the night, while her sister Alicia led the Fire with 17 and 9.

The Fire capitalised on Geelong’s poor defense at times and shot 56 per cent on two-pointers and eight three-pointers.

This Sunday’s opponent Bendigo are fresh off a 14-point win over the Adelaide Lightning.

Dynamic shooting duo Sami Whitcomb and Casey Samuels amassed 27 and 21 points respectively.

The pair will need to be kept on a tight leash by United if they are to have a chance at taking home the win.

United head coach Chris Lucas said his squad are keen to respond well against Bendigo.

“Townsville was tough, they really took the game away from us and we learned a lot from it.

“It’s going to be all about gelling for us. It’s going to take some time. It’s a new group of women.

“Keely Froling and Gemma Potter are the only two in our squad who have played WNBL consistently over the past few years.

“We are going to be ok, but there are going to be some rough times.”

Froling said the team will be looking to be more physical on the court after being outmuscled in recent matches.

“WNBL is hard. It’s a whole new ball game, its completely different from college and WNBA.

“You can talk about preparing for it, but until you play it, you are never going to be quite ready for it.”

Sunday’s clash will tip off at 12:30pm.