Pumas thrill in overtime

Pumas won their second championship in-a-row, defeating Trades (69-65) in a thriller on Saturday night.

The champions were in control when they had a 12-point lead with just over six minutes to go.

Baskets to Tigers’ youngsters Siobhan Dunn, Emma Burke and four points to the experienced Amy Williamson in three minutes, pegged the margin to just one point when Pumas’ gun Stevee Adamini was fouled out with just over two minutes remaining.

Williamson netted one free throw to level the scores 53-apiece — the closest Trades were since leading by just two-points at the 11 and a half minute mark.

Caitlin Wilson bagged both her free throws to give Pumas their first points in over four minutes to give her side a narrow two-point buffer.

Tigers’ Stacie Barker played out of her skin when the game was up for grabs, and shot her fourth basket to level the scores for the second time in a minute.

The crowd was electrifying — just as vocal and passionate as an edge-of-your-seat Buccs close one, and the message from Trades’ spiritual leader Amy Williamson was to “slow down”.

After both sides missed shots in the last 45 seconds with the score locked at 55, it went into overtime.

When the game is up in the air, superstars step up, and Pumas’ Annie Ducas shot twice in the opening minute to give Pumas a four-point advantage.

A packed Activewest Stadium was shaking, and although Wilson nailed one of her free-throws to extend the Pumas lead to five, there was still plenty of time remaining.

Baker again scored two, but Ducas had the quick reply at the other end.

Free-throws to Baker and Erin Cooper sliced the margin to just two points with just over 60 seconds to go.

Three successive free throws gave Pumas a five-point lead with 32 seconds remaining, but when Dunn shot a three-pointer with just 20 seconds left, the crowd was deafening.

Pumas leader Jaz Bowley shot both her free-throws with 18 seconds remaining, which was the nail in the Tigers’ coffin, with Trades having no reply.

Pumas won a thriller, which will be remembered in GABA history for a long time.

They also became the first women’s side in a decade to win back-to-back championships, collecting their third championship in five years.

Annie Ducas was sensational and finished with 24-points and was named MVP.

Although fouled out, Adamini was brilliant at both ends of the court, and her level head shone through when the game was on the line a number of times. Trades are definitely a side of the future with teenagers Messina Tully, Siobhan Dunno and the Cooper sisters well beyond their years.

Tully in particular was a vital cog for Trades, finishing with 10 points, and like Adamini, was stellar at both ends of the court.

Amy Williamson’s experience shone throw and had ripper finishing with 14 points.

Pumas coach Aaron Ducas said it was great to be a part of such a great game.

“The girls played an outstanding game, ” he said.

“Trades put up a great effort.

“Everyone’s commented afterwards what a great game it was to watch.” The experienced coach said he was “confident” in his troops when Williamson and then Baker levelled the scores late in the game before it went into overtime.

“It was a matter of us getting doing what we had to do and playing some good defence, ” he said.

He said he was “extremely proud” with daughter Annie’s game, and said she did everything he asked of her on the night and throughout the year.

Ducas said it was a team effort and praised his whole outfit.

“All our girls stepped up at different times, ” he said

“Caitlin Wilson, Kayla Thomas, all of them played well at different stages.

“When someone else wasn’t, someone else stepped up.

They shared the load right across the board.”