IPSWICH Force produced a determined second-half fightback but fell just short, going down 97-92 to the Gold Coast Rollers at Carrara Indoor Sports Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
A slow start proved costly for the visitors, who trailed 50-33 at halftime after conceding 30 points in the opening quarter.
Ipswich responded emphatically after the break, exploding in the third quarter to outscore the Rollers 32-19.
Lachlan Anderson led the charge for Ipswich with a superb 37-point performance, knocking down eight triples and going 9-of-11 from the free throw line. He carried the offensive load throughout the second half and kept Ipswich within striking distance.
Samuel McDaniel provided outstanding support with 19 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists, while Merrick Small controlled the paint with 13 rebounds to go with eight points on an efficient 3-of-4 shooting.
Ipswich held a slight edge on the boards, including nine offensive rebounds, while Alec Godinet added 12 points with three triples and William Mahoney chipped in 11.
Ipswich pushed the contest to the brink, but ultimately couldn’t bridge the gap.
Earlier, the Lady Force also pushed the Gold Coast Rollers all the way but were left to rue missed opportunities in a 76-70 defeat.
Ipswich threw everything at the home side in the fourth, matching the Rollers point-for-point in a 23-23 finish. Captain Georgia Ralph led from the front with 19 points, while import Sunny Huerta was outstanding with 19 points, five steals and relentless defensive pressure.
Rollers captain Ariana Moorer proved the difference down the stretch with a commanding all-round performance of 23 points, 10 rebounds and five assists.
She was well supported by Emma Petrie, who delivered 19 points on an exceptional 77.8 per cent shooting clip, while Tara Manumaleuga added 12 points and five steals in an impactful two-way display.
The Ipswich outfits will now host Mackay at Ipswich Basketball Stadium on Saturday with the women’s game to tipoff at 5pm before the men’s game at 7pm.
