Marino POW
Tagged in: Kiwis Abroad, Tall Ferns
New Zealand Tall Fern Angela Marino has been named the Player of the Week for her inspiring performance in Round Three of the Australian WNBL.
Marino posted 11 points in the final quarter to lift Adelaide Lightning to a 93-87 victory over Perth Lynx after Lightning captain Jess Foley succumbed to an ankle sprain late in the second quarter in Albany on Saturday.
Two-time Olympian Marino top-scored with 32 points, shooting 7/11 from the field at 64 percent and was at home on the charity stripe, where she converted 15/19.
The 1.66m point guard also managed to pull in six rebounds and dish five assists.
Marino said with Foley out of the game it was up to the whole team to make up for the loss.
“Because Jess Foley’s such a good player everyone had to step up when she went down. I think we’ve been doing that all year; everyone that’s been on the floor has been playing really well,” she said.
“Perth had to foul to try and get back in the game because they were down by quite a bit so I got quite a few foul shots at the end and luckily I made most of them; I missed four so hopefully I’ll be able to improve my percentage next time we play.”
Marino said the 2009/10 season is one of the toughest yet after undefeated Adelaide was pushed by ninth-placed Perth.
“I think this year the competition is very strong; every team has the possibility to beat any other team so it’s always a challenge whoever you play against. Perth did a really good job and we’re just very happy that we were able to get the win,” she said.
Next week, Marino and the Lightning take on reigning champions the Canberra Capitals where she will line up against Opal Natalie Hurst.
“We always have really good games against Canberra. Hopefully it’s a close game, both teams play well and we end up getting the victory.”
Capitals forward Marianna Tolo and Round Two Player of the Week Kristi Harrower were also standouts in Round 3.
Opals point guard Harrower scored 26 points in the second half to finish with a game high 32 points against Logan in Bendigo Spirit’s one-point win, 72-71, on Friday. The point guard grabbed seven rebounds and an assist.
Tolo tallied a double-double with 33 points and 10 rebounds against the AIS on Sunday. She shot 13/18 from the field and rejected five shots.
