43 Points
84% From The Field
24 Rebounds (11 Offensive)
Amazing numbers for sure, but even moreso is the fact they were delivered in a championship game.
Who was it you ask? Wilt the Stilt? Lauren Jackson? Jordan?
No… all good answers, but this scoring outburst came from Bendigo Braves star Gabe Richards this weekend to defeat the Launceston Tornadoes in the SEABL championship.
This wasn’t just one of the greatest women’s performance’s in SEABL history, it was one of the greatest games in SEABL history… PERIOD.
The Braves finished the regular season 20-0 (yes, you read that right) and then dropped a finals game before bouncing back by walloping the Kilsyth Cobras in the semi-finals and finally demolishing fourth placed Launceston 119-96 to become 2018 SEABL champions.
Gabe averaged 16 points(63% from the field), 9 boards and shot 81% from the FT line this season and led the Braves to their sixth title. Kelly Wilson, who averaged 12 assists per game for the season, also dropped in casual 27 points (at 66%) to go with 20 assists. Yes. 20, but there were plenty more impressive stats in this incredible game.
GAME NOTES:
- The Tornado’s shot 16/36 on triples, and four starters scored in double figures.
- Gabe Richards hauled in 24 rebounds (11 offensive). Launceston, in contrast, had only 18 rebounds as a team (6 offensive) resulting in them being out-rebounded 24-18 by Richards and 51-18 by the Braves.
- Kelly Wilson had 20 assists in contrast to Launceston dishing out 24.
- Bendigo finished 29/33 from the free throw line, Launceston 12/18 (Richards and Wilson went 18/21).
- Bendigo outscored Launceston 70 to 28 inside the painted area.
Dan Boyce is a die-hard Sydney Kings fan who grew up in Melbourne during the roaring 90's of Australian Basketball and spent far too much time collecting Futera NBL Basketball cards.
