Match Report: Lightning challenged by AIS

20/JAN/2007 – The AIS turned in one of its best performances of the year, pushing Adelaide Quit Lightning to the brink at the Distinctive Homes Dome before the home side prevailed 79-70.

Erin Phillips pulled out a 27-point, 9-rebound, 4-assist, 3-steal tour de force and Tracy Gahan was terrific for 19 points, five boards and a pivotal third period block as Adelaide launched its match-winning comeback.

Mindful they would be playing the reigning champion Capitals in Canberra within 24 hours for the regular season championship, the Lightning almost paid the ultimate price for looking past the AIS.

It's very easy to trip at a hurdle when you're looking at the finish line and Cayla Francis (22 points, 9 rebounds, two blocks) ensured the AIS never allowed Adelaide a moment's respite.

"We didn't set the tone of the game," a disappointed but relieved Lightning coach Chris Lucas said. "Full credit to the AIS kids but we cruised and allowed them to get their confidence up."

It probably didn't help the Lightning's approach that Gahan turned a slick open-court intercept into a three-point play before Phillips backed in Nicole Hunt for a jumpshot and 5-1 lead.

This was going to be like taking candy from a baby. But the league babies bounced back with a 12-0 tantrum that even a Lucas time-out did nothing to halt.

Francis went to work inside and out, Katie Ebzery, Marianna Tolo and Rebecca Schatz all wreaking havoc. At the other end, the Institute slipped in and out of a zone and Adelaide's offence ground to a stagnant halt.

In fact it wasn't until Sam Woosnam scored in close off a Dee Ranford feed with 1:05 left that Adelaide had its third field goal of the quarter. And that was as many as it mustered in a 14-22 deficit.

The only thing that kept the AIS from being further ahead was a lack of foul discipline which eventually cost it Ellie Manou, Tolo and Hunt and also saw Francis labouring on four fouls.

Still the AIS would not buckle, Emma Langford hitting some open shots as it bumped its lead out as far as 15 at 31-16 on a Schatz shot with 5:48 left in the first half.

By the break, Adelaide had it back to 32-41 but the AIS had monstered the boards 32-14 against the best rebounding team in the league.

"Tonight was our best performance of the season," AIS coach Dean Kinsman said. "Sydney was good but in this one we endured different problems with foul trouble and adversity.

"Our change-ups were excellent. Internationally we need to be able to change things up to change the rhythm of a game. I think with young people it also helps them to keep their concentration."

The plan certainly stifled Adelaide for a half but when Lucas inserted Ranford to start the second, it was evident the focus had shifted to its wayward defence. The Lightning immediately looked better and began to plug back the deficit.

It was at 49-52 on a Gahan free throw when the Lightning import swatted away a key Schatz drive on a play Phillips rewarded with a three in transition to tie the game.

By the last break Adelaide had nudged out to 57-54, outscoring AIS 25-13 to set up the final curtain. The Institute refused to go gracefully but when Cherie Smith, in her first game back, nailed a triple and Rebecca Duke followed suit, the end was in sight.

A three from Francis cut it back to six but Phillips, Jess Foley and Lauren King - the latter two both exceptionally quiet - pulled the lead into double digits and only the final scoreline remained to be determined.


Lightning 79 (Phillips 27, Gahan 19, Woosnam 12) d
AIS 70 (Francis 22, Ebzery 11, Schatz 8)
at the Distinctive Homes Dome. Crowd: 710.

By Cliff Warner for WNBL.com.au