Scotland Senior Women Finish 2-2 in Malaysia Tournament

By Bradley Gains on June 17, 2017

Scotland Senior Women recorded two wins and two defeats in a four-day invitational tournament in Malaysia.

Bart Sengers’ side took on three regional Asian sides as well as Malaysia’s Senior Women – ranked 43rd in the world – in a bid to boost their qualifying chances for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Scotland began the tour with an agonising 52-51 friendly loss against Thailand before suffering another close defeat as they went down 63-61 to Shanghai in the MABA tournament opener.

Dee Hayward top scored with 19 points with Erin McGarrachan adding 14 points and 10 rebounds as Scotland squandered a 16-point lead.

Hayward led the way again in the next outing with a 33-point haul guiding Scotland to a narrow 72-71 success over Nan Shan.

Kirsten Simpson netted a huge go-ahead triple inside the final stages and Scotland were able to hold on for their first win with McGarrachan adding another double-double with 16 points and 11 boards.

That feeling when you notch your first win of the campaign… excellent result for the Scotland Senior Women. pic.twitter.com/naU9DDMtZm

— basketballscotland (@basketballscot) June 15, 2017

Scotland’s biggest test came against tournament hosts, Malaysia, and they more than held their own in a close fought encounter before ultimately losing 67-64.

Both sides led by as many as eight points at one stage and the contest was tied at 69 with 7:09 remaining before a 5-0 Malaysia run spanning nearly six minutes proved pivotal.

Sarah Thomson had a game-high 15 points in vain with McGarrachan, 13, and Hayward, 10, also in double figures.

Scotland rounded out the tournament with a second victory as they eased past Taiwan side Fo Guang 80-67.

Hayward led the way with 21 points with Hannah Peacock contributing 19 points on 9-of-10 shooting along with nine rebounds, while Thomson added 16 points.

After leading by 13 at half-time, Scotland conceded 34 points in the third to see the game level with 10 minutes to go before securing a 2-2 tournament finish with a 22-9 final period effort.

Scotland’s squad was as follows:
Robyn Lewis, Hilary Wood, Natalie Chaloner, Dee Hayward, Kirsten Simpson, Hannah Robb, Sarah Thomson, Claire Paxton, Beth Mackie, Hannah Peacock, Courtney Lyons, Erin McGarrachan

Image credit: basketballScotland

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