Scamozzi clinches draw after buzzer

A free throw after the final buzzer from guard Ella Scamozzi has helped Panthers snatch a draw, in a dramatic finish to their women’s A-grade clash with Kinjarling Storm on Tuesday night.

Panthers trailed by four points at half-time, but clawed their way back in a seesawing second half as Scamozzi had the chance to win the game after she was fouled with 20 seconds left on the clock.

With her side down by a point, Scamozzi missed the first shot but calmly sunk the second to tie scores at 24-all.

Kinjarling controlled the majority of the first half, led by Abbi Gibson, but three of the first four baskets went the way of Panthers after the main break.

Nardia Humphries put Kinjarling up by three after she made one three throw before a Scamozzi floater got her side as close as they had been, down by one point.

Maddie Dallimore then put Panthers in front but only briefly as Nardia Humphries replied to help her side regain the lead.

With 91/2 minutes to go, Darcy Kerr found a basket that was quickly followed by Dallimore as Panthers shot three points ahead.

Kinjarling kept coming, as Narelle Humphries and Jade Dimer found buckets before Kayla Thomas pulled the margin back to one point for Panthers with a trip to the free-throw line and then Scamozzi ensured her team walked away with one point. Gibson scored six in the first half for Kinjarling while both Humphries sisters added five.

Scamozzi and Sheridan Kowald finished with five points each for Panthers in the low-scoring affair.

In the other match, Valkyries recorded a strong 16-point win over Crystal Blues.

Valkyries led 31-21 at half-time and were able to keep Crystal Blues at bay in the second half.

Brodie Dixon top scored for the victors with 15 points while Casey Griffiths and Enya Marques both hit 13 points in the 56-40 win.

Valerie Corbett led the way for Crystal Blues with 14 points while Shianne Arthur added seven.