Launceston Tornadoes are hopeful captain Lauren Mansfield will return for next weekend’s road trips to face Canberra and Nunawading.
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Coach Derrick Washington believes the point guard is a day-by-day proposition.
Still nursing a sprained ankle that was sustained seven days earlier, Mansfield was forced to watch helplessly on Saturday night in an epic finish to her side’s 73-72 win.
The Tornadoes had earned a fifth straight victory with veteran Ali Partridge suffering a gash to the head that required stitches that night, while star Lauren Nicholson battled the effects of a cold.
The match ended in controversy after referees waved away a foul on Ballarat Miners centre Joy Burke, deemed to occur after the final buzzer.
From the bench, Mansfield’s words of advice lifted Aishah Anis and Paige French for 25 combined points.
“Everyone stepped up – I am so very proud of my girls,” Washington said. “Especially Paige and Aishah – they showed me something.”
“It was such a gritty win.”