Comets overturn big deficit to extend run

Faced with a daunting deficit to Pumas, last season’s knockout winners bounced back emphatically to triumph 56-49 in last Friday’s big duel at Beau Sejour.

It was the first meeting between those two sides in this compelling three-horse title race. Earlier this season it had taken Comets two bouts of overtime to edge the other contenders, Ravenscroft.

Here, the team in red had their work cut out again after an early burst from the experienced Donna Brehaut and promising addition Jacenta Yu – including the latter landing the only three-pointer of the game. The duo fired Pumas 11-2 ahead at five minutes.

Pumas’ general dominance, including some good fast breaks, put them 17-7 up at the quarter.

Comets’ struggles continued early into quarter two as the gap became 18 points, but they soon turned it around markedly – they shut out their opponents while scoring five baskets leading up to the interval.

Although Pumas led 29-21 at half-time, it again looked like anyone’s game.

Midway through the third came Comets’ strongest rally yet, with Ieva Babina showing her usual brilliance before Emilie Batiste stepped up to score eight points in two minutes.

A late equaliser from Comets made it 40-all before the final quarter.

Comets took their first lead shortly afterwards only to have it reversed, but they then capitalised as fatigue crept in for Pumas, who had limited rotation in a roster of just seven players – captain Gemma Batiste being among the absentees.

Two of Comets’ nine players dominated their scoring, with Babina leading the way on 19 as their own captain Batiste racked up 15.

‘Comets felt it was a game of two halves, with Pumas dominating the first quarter with their speed and consistent shooting,’ Emilie Batiste said.

‘However, we managed to get a great run in the third quarter which put us back in the game. This gave us the motivation to dig deep and focus on getting the win.

‘It definitely was great to get another win, especially after being down [nearly] 20 points early on.’

Batiste now has her sights on the double, which she does not expect to come easily.

‘The goal, of course, is to win the league and knockout title, but with the games against Ravens and Pumas being so close, we’ll need to be at our best to maintain the current undefeated streak.’

Yu topped Pumas’ totals on 15 as Brehaut and Lily Oliveira also made double digits.

Earlier, Sammie Cox had put 18 on the scoreboard for Ravens and Kat Daunt contributed 11 as they dominated LMS Storm, winning 54-22.

Storm are facing an uphill battle this season given their lack of current Island players, but they showed some resilience to tie the final quarter.

Skillz had produced an even more one-sided scoreline against Giants in Men’s Division Two, having trailed after the first quarter.

Saul Falla had a big showing for the winning side, chalking up 26 points as they won 79-25.