Despite Canberra jumping out of the blocks in the first quarter to take a 16-8 lead the game was close throughout with neither team able to create a margin.  Kilsyth fought back in the first quarter to go into the break at 20 a piece as Jon Croft (18pts, 7rbds) and Gerard Leonard (21pts) caught fire. 

Leonard continued his run into the 2nd reeling off 12 pts in quick succession to put the Cobras in the lead.  Gunner Eric Malcolm (13pts) hit some big three’s to keep Canberra in check as both team closed out the first half going basket for basket for a 45-41 Kilsyth lead.

Kilsyth’s dynamic import Zach Malvik (10pts) failed to score in the first half as Canberra pulled out all the stops, forcing 8 turnovers from the rattled Cobra. The Gunners built some momentum in the third as Kilsyth managed just 13 points for the term Canberra went into the 4th with a 2 pt lead.

Zlatko Todorovski (26pts, 8rbds) and Glenn Baird (26pts, 12rbds) were proving a handful for the Cobras as Joe Werner (19pts, 6rbds) again got in foul trouble, but despite the inside problems, Kilsyth were able to force the game into the overtime as Gerard Leonard hit a three with 4 second remaining after Canberra nailed two throws to go up 3.

Despite the Cobras energy, it was all Canberra in OT as the game opened up in the extra 5 minutes and Kilsyth were unable to contain the Gunners on their way to 19pts for the period and the win.

DJ Taylor (12pts) and Adam Jackson (8pts) again provided solid support but it was the Kilsyth starters that failed to produced the required fire in this contest.

Kilsyth is now in a dangerous position of falling a long way back in the final race.  Before flying back to Melbourne they must take on the Australian Institute of Sport who hold a five-game win streak over the Cobras and currently sit in 4th place on the South Conference table at 4-6. A win will see Kilsyth move to 5-8 and just a half game behind the AIS but a loss could be the end of a promising season.

Many will have memories of the run to make finals and subsequently the Grand Final in 2007 but the Cobras will need to pick up some of these close games if they are going to think about finals in 2008. Following the AIS, Geelong will make the trip to Kilsyth next Saturday night, it what looms as one of the biggest matches of the SEABL season.  Former Cobra Brad Bridgewater will return to the Snakepit for the first time since departing in the off-season and Kilsyth will be keen to get one up on Bridgewater and the League leading Supercats.

Don’t miss all the action Saturday 17th May at 8.15pm as the Cobras take on Geelong from the Kilsyth Sports Centre.

For all your Cobras news visit www.kilsythbasketball.com.au

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