NBL Women’s Preview: Southern Districts at South West Metro

RUNCORN, Australia (Interstat) — The undefeated Southern Districts will put their perfect 4-0 record on the line Friday against the winless South West Metro in an NBL women’s professional basketball game at Runcorn.

Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. local time.

Southern Districts (4-0 across all competitions) has opened the season with four consecutive victories, including an 84-81 home win over Brisbane on May 2. Guard Jessica McDowell White has been the catalyst for the visitors. In that game, McDowell White played 40 minutes, scoring 28 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. Over her past four outings, she has averaged 20 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, posting a triple-double April 24 at Rockhampton (11 points, 11 rebounds, 16 assists) and another April 18 against Brisbane (24 points, 10 rebounds, 12 assists).

Center Paige Bayliss added 6 points and 10 rebounds in the win over Brisbane, while guard Abby Solway contributed 16 points and 2 rebounds. Southern Districts’ other wins this season came at Mackay (84-78 on April 25), at Rockhampton (95-66 on April 24) and at home against Brisbane (105-61 on April 18).

South West Metro (0-3) is still searching for its first win. The team lost 77-70 at Townsville on April 25, despite a strong performance from guard Jovana Ilic. Ilic logged 41 minutes, scoring 21 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Forward Charlotte Whittaker also scored 21 points in that contest, while guard Kate Head added 15 points and 7 assists.

South West Metro’s other losses this season came at Cairns (95-49 on April 24) and at Ipswich (75-59 on April 18). The team will look to Ilic to continue her production as it attempts to slow a high-scoring Southern Districts squad.

Friday’s game marks the first meeting of the season between the two sides.