MOUNT WAVERLEY, Australia (Interstat) — Waverley will look to continue its strong form and avenge a recent overtime loss when it hosts Nunawading in a women’s professional basketball NBL1 South matchup Saturday at the Mount Waverley Community Centre.

The Falcons (8-7) have won four of their last five games, including a 71-62 victory over Diamond Valley on Monday. Waverley is led by forward Madelynn Utti, who has been dominant on the boards. In her last four outings, Utti has posted double-doubles in three of them, highlighted by a 24-point, 17-rebound performance in a 91-70 win at Bendigo on May 30. She is averaging nearly 12 rebounds per game over that span.

Nunawading (5-9) has dropped three straight and six of its last seven. The Spectres’ most recent result was a 80-66 loss at Melbourne on May 31, despite 29 points and nine rebounds from guard Charlise Dunn. Dunn has been a consistent scoring threat, averaging 22 points over her last two games while also contributing on the glass.

The teams met on April 11 in Nunawading, with the Spectres claiming an 83-73 overtime victory. Dunn had a strong game in that contest as well, though the full stat line was not immediately available. Nunawading, however, has struggled at home and on the road. Its lone win since April 26 came against Casey on May 16, 91-85, but the Spectres followed that with losses to Eltham, Sandringham, Dandenong and Melbourne.

Waverley’s offense has been balanced. In Monday’s win over Diamond Valley, Utti had 11 points and 11 rebounds, while point guard Amelia Todhunter added 10 points and six assists and Tayla Dalton chipped in nine points. The Falcons have also beaten Bendigo, Geelong, Frankston and Dandenong in recent weeks, showcasing depth.

Nunawading will need improved production from players like Eliza Hollingsworth and Kylee Blacksten, who combined for 19 points in the Melbourne loss. The Spectres’ defense has been porous, allowing 85 or more points in five of their last seven losses.

Tipoff is at 7 p.m. local time. The winner will gain important momentum as both teams push for playoff positioning in the NBL1 South standings.