Werribee Devils have been thrown a curveball in Big V women’s division 1 basketball.
The Devils, seemingly cruising towards the play-offs on the back of a six-game winning streak, hit a couple of road blocks on a double-header weekend.
Their winning run came to an end on Saturday night with flat 66-48 loss to Hawthorn Magic – but there was thought to be no need for panic after a rare blemish.
Another loss, on Sunday, this time by a 91-81 scoreline to Whittlesea Pacers at Eagle Stadium, heightened the cause for concern.
The losses put Werribee’s spot in the finals under threat because both were to sides around them in the standings.
In the defeat to Hawthorn, the Devils could not get going offensively.
Aside from import Alyssa Bennett, who scored 23 points to go with 13 rebounds, the starting unit struggled to find the bottom of the basket.
Jessy Price was the Devils’ only other double-figure scorer with 10 points, but she produced them with an inefficient three-from-18 from the field.
Price was not alone as the Devils’ shooting woes seeped into any player not named Bennett.
Werribee was much better offensively against Whittlesea, but had the opposite issue – leaking too many points.
Georgia Tauschke led the way for the Devils with 26 points and seven rebounds, while the consistent Bennett put up 21 points and 11 rebounds.
The Devils (10-8) will square off with title favourite Mildura Heat (15-2) in a blockbuster at Eagle Stadium on Sunday.
In men’s state championship, Werribee Devils suffered a third straight loss, going down 96-83 to Hawthorn Magic at the Boroondara Sports Complex on Saturday night.
Imports Konor Kulas and Bryan Nagy performed to their usual high standards.
Kulas had a well-rounded stat line of 24 points, nine rebounds, three steals and two blocks, while Nagy worked tirelessly for 16 points, six rebounds, five steals and two blocks.
Tyrone Remy and Mangor Manuer provided 11 points apiece off the bench.
The Devils (5-12) face second-placed Eltham Wildcats (13-5) away on Sunday.
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