Betnijah Laney
Perth Lynx | Australia
In her first season overseas, Betnijah Laney played for the Perth Lynx in Australia. The team advanced to the WNBL Grand Final for the first time in 16 years, but was defeated in two games.
Update: March 18, 2016
Laney’s double-double in game 1 of the WNBL Grand Final (19 points and 14 rebounds) was not enough to take down Townsville Fire, who won 73-57. The turning point in the game was the fourth quarter when Townsville outscored Perth 28-7 to pull away with the advantage, despite the fact that Townsville only scored seven points in the previous quarter.
The Lynx entered game 2 looking to secure a victory to push the series into the third game. Townsville maintained the lead over Perth through the first half and led by 9 at halftime. Perth gained the lead at the close of the third quarter, 61-57; but, much like the previous game, the Lynx only managed to score nine points in the final quarter while the Fire scored 23. Laney scored 16 points in the contest.
Update: February 29, 2016
Laney led the Perth Lynx into the WNBL Grand Final for the first time since 1999 with 23 points on February 28. The score was close through the first quarter, but Perth ran away in the second quarter and continued to build upon its lead. The Lynx held a 25-point advantage over the first placed Townsville in the fourth and ended the WNBL Semi-final game 91-72. Along with her game-high scoring effort, Laney also tallied eight rebounds and four assists. Perth will face either SEQ or Townsville in the Grand Final series beginning on March 12.
Update: February 22, 2016
Perth’s regular season has come to a close and the Lynx finished in second place on the WNBL ladder after winning two of its last three games. Laney was a key player in each of Perth’s final wins; she recorded 18 points, eight rebounds and eight assists against Sydney on February 13 and 16 points and nine rebounds versus Townsville on February 19. Perth faces top-seed Townsville on February 28 in the WNBL Semifinals. It is the first time in 16 years the Lynx play in a WNBL finals game.
Update: February 8, 2016
The Lynx (14-7) have dropped to third place on the WNBL ladder. Perth topped Melbourne 80-59 on January 30; Laney recorded 14 points and 11 rebounds. The following week, Perth’s three-game win streak was snapped when they faced SEQ. A second quarter run gave SEQ the advantage over the Lynx that they could not recover from. Perth fell 87-71 at home. Laney finished with 16 points and nine rebounds.
Update: January 26, 2016
Laney was outstanding for Perth on January 24. She flirted with a triple-double, scoring 19 points and added 11 rebounds and eight assists in a 76-67 win over Adelaide Lightning. The Lynx outscored the Lightning in the paint, 30-14 and capitalized on their offensive mishaps with 14 points from turnovers.
Update: January 5, 2016
On New Year’s Eve, Perth hosted the Townsville Fire. The Lynx overcame a 13-point deficit in the third quarter with a fourth quarter push to come within two points. However, the visitors drove its lead back up by nine before finishing the game 77-71. It was Perth’s first loss in three games and brought Townsville to a tie for first place in the WNBL with the Lynx. Laney had a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds in the contest.
Update: December 22, 2015
Perth maintains its status as the top-ranked team in the WNBL after taking down UC Capitals on December 18. The Lynx led the way for the whole game, even building up a 29-point lead in the third quarter. Laney almost had a double-double with 13 points and eight rebounds.
Update: December 15, 2015
The Lynx defeated the SEQ Stars for the second time this season on December 11. Perth capitalized on SEQ’s 12 turnovers by scoring 16 points on turnovers compared to SEQ’s four points scored from Perth’s eight turnovers. Laney was an all-around top performer for the Lynx, as she had 17 points along with nine rebounds and seven assists in the 85-67 victory at home. Perth is 10-4 and in first place in the WNBL.
Update: December 8, 2015
Perth traveled to Dandenong in a WNBL matchup. The Lynx dominated in the fourth quarter, overcoming a 10-point deficit. Perth outscored the Rangers 21-13 in the last quarter, but could not survive in the end. Laney recorded 10 points, four rebounds and four assists as the Lynx fell 65-63 on the road. The next day Perth defeated Melbourne 84-73. Laney scored 10 points in the road win. Perth is 9-4 in the WNBL and maintains its top position.
Update: December 1, 2015
Points scored in the paint were Perth’s poison against Townsville Fire on November 28. Townsville outscored the Lynx 46-26 near the basket. Laney, the team’s second-leading scorer with an average of 13.55 points per game, scored 20 points in the 91-81 loss. The next day Perth faced the SEQ Stars. After being down by one at the end of the first quarter, the Lynx pummeled the Stars in the second quarter and ended the half up 44-33. Perth continued to run up the score; the Lynx came out on top 85-64. Laney was the leading scorer with 18 points. Despite falling to Townsville the day before, Perth’s victory at SEQ secured its top spot on the WNBL ladder. Laney is currently ranked 10th in the WNBL in assists per game (2.82).
Update: November 24, 2015
Laney recorded her third double-double this season, her second against Adelaide on November 20. In Perth’s 93-85 win against Adelaide, Laney scored 15 points and pulled down 10 rebounds. Laney is averaging 12.33 points per game and 6.89 rebounds per game, 12th in the WNBL.
Update: November 17, 2015
Perth played two games last week for the first time this season and topped both of its opponents. The Lynx slid to an 83-66 victory over Dandenong on November 13; Laney scored 16 points. Two days later, Perth defeated Bendigo 86-73. Laney posted eight points, six rebounds and four assists. The Lynx is 6-2 and is tied for first place with two other teams.
Update: November 10, 2015
The Perth Lynx traveled to Adelaide on November 8. With a near triple-double, Laney helped the Lynx to a 65-52 win.Perth is 4-2 in the WNBL and is tied in second place with its next opponent Dandenong. Laney was named to the WNBL Team of the Week for her performance.
Update: November 03, 2015
Playing off of a birthday high, Laney posted her first international double double. She was Perth’s top rebounder with 13 boards and the team’s second-leading scorer with 16 points. Perth is now 3-2 in the WNBL.
Update: October 28, 2015
Laney helped Perth to an 83-74 victory over Dandenong on October 25 with 13 points and seven rebounds. Perth is 3-1 and is in fourth place in the WNBL.
Update: October 20, 2015
The Perth Lynx played back-to-back road games on October 17 and October 18. Perth defeated Melbourne in game one 78-68. Laney contributed eight points. In a quick turnaround, Perth could not maintain and fell 81-65. Laney scored 12 points and grabbed six rebounds. The team is 2-1 and sits in fourth place in the WNBL.