In the first of three consecutive double header weekends for the Swinburne Kilsyth Cobras, both teams came out on top and swept Round 9 with big wins.  The Swinburne Kilsyth Cobras faced the Canberra Gunners at home on Saturday and both teams amassed commanding 20-point wins and then followed up the performance by both winning on the road against the Sandringham Sabres on Sunday.

The Swinburne Lady Cobras continued their winning form this weekend by defeating the Lady Gunners 69-49.  The Swinburne Lady Cobras held the Lady Gunners scoreless for the first seven minutes of the game, defending their home floor proudly to end the first quarter up 20-4.  That early advantage helped the Swinburne Lady Cobras to maintain the lead the rest of the game despite closer second, third and fourth periods. 

The Lady Gunners struggled against the Swinburne Lady Cobras’ pressure defensive, committing 23 turnovers which the Swinburne Lady Cobras converted to 18 points.  The on-court effort was led by Sarah Parsons, who was outstanding in every category.  Parsons led the team in scoring with 20 points as well as in rebounds with 11.  She not only commanded the offensive end, but also picked off five (5) steals on defence.    Chantella Perera and Hayley Moffatt also hit double digits, scoring 16 and 12 points apiece. 

The Swinburne Lady Cobras bounced back with another strong performance on Sunday at Sandringham, recording their ninth win for the 2012 SEABL season. The Swinburne Lady Cobras pulled out a 91-71 victory in the high scoring match-up.  The game was close throughout the whole first half as the Lady Sabres had an answer to every Swinburne Lady Cobra score. 

The Swinburne Lady Cobras pulled away by seven points twice in the first period and went up by 11 in the second quarter after a Kristen Barnes free throw but the Lady Sabres fought back, cutting the margin down to eight as the halftime score read 48-40.  An early third quarter 13-2 run led by Hayley Moffatt and Kristen Barnes put the Swinburne Lady Cobras comfortably in the lead by 21. 

While the Swinburne Lady Cobras committed 21 turnovers, a figure much higher than their average, their hot 50% FG shooting compensated the mark and led them to a victory.  Barnes paced the Swinburne Lady Cobras with 24 points, followed by Perera with 16.  Perera and Parsons led in rebounds with eight each and Parsons also recorded game high 6 assists. 

The Swinburne Lady Cobras host Albury/Wodonga Saturday May 26 on Hugh McMenamin Court with a 6:15pm tip off and then travel to Bendigo on Sunday May 27 to play the Braves with tip off at 12:00pm.

The Swinburne Kilsyth Cobras had their backs against the wall going into Round 9, needing to pull off a win to keep their playoff prospects alive.  In the midst of all the pressure and playing without starting point guard Zach Malvik who was out with an achilles injury, the Swinburne Kilsyth Cobras banned together to defeat the Canberra Gunners 67-43 on Saturday and then picked up a close 64-58 road win against the Sandringham Sabres  on Sunday. 

The Swinburne Kilsyth Cobras were neck and neck with the Gunners in the first quarter, ending it in a 12-12 tie.  In the second period, the Gunners could not get the ball to drop and the Swinburne Kilsyth Cobras took advantage of the momentum to string together a 16-4 period.  The Swinburne Kilsyth Cobras used a size advantage to rip down 17 more rebounds than the Gunners and get 14 more attempts at the basket. 

Garfield Blair found his stroke early and maintained his form throughout the game, leading the Swinburne Kilsyth Cobras offensively with 28 points and also pulling down game high 12 rebounds. 

The Swinburne Kilsyth Cobras entered Sunday’s game against Sandringham as the heavy underdogs, facing a team that was undefeated on their home court for the 2012 SEABL season.  The Swinburne Kilsyth Cobras got down by seven points early in the half, struggling to stop the Sabres’ strong post play by Cory Cooperwood.  But on the offensive end, the Swinburne Kilsyth Cobras hit their stride, shooting an impressive 54% from the field in the first half. 

Down by four points at the halfway mark, the Swinburne Kilsyth Cobras jumped ahead to claim the lead thanks to a big 14-5 third period.  The Sabres would not go away, and kept the game close down to the final horn.  Auryn Macmillan kept finding the basket, scoring 7 of his 23 points in the fourth, but the Sabres matched each basket.  In the final minutes, consistent free throw shooting by the Swinburne Kilsyth Cobras secured the lead and resulted with a six point victory for the Swinburne Kilsyth Cobras, who now reclaim the fourth position on the ladder.

Macmillan put up double double figures for the Swinburne Kilsyth Cobras, scoring 23 points and grabbing 12 rebounds.  Tim Lang joined in on the dominant post play, following up Macmillan with 15 points and 12 rebounds of his own.    

The weekend also highlighted major contributions from Cameron Johnson, who relished his starting role and Adam Knott off the bench in his new sixth man role.

The Swinburne Kilsyth Cobras host Albury/Wodonga Saturday May 26 on Hugh McMenamin Court in a vital conference match-up with a 8:15pm tip off and then travel to Bendigo on Sunday May 27 to play the Braves with tip off at 2:00pm.

DOMESTIC CLUBS