Posted on 22 May, 2011

Kilsyth knew that if they want to be taken seriously that they would need to come out and beet one of the top sides, and the first quarter certainly showed their intent with the team shooting at 85% accuracy, to take a four point lead at the first break.

The second quarter was a tight struggle with both teams having their opportunities but neither could pull away. The Swinburne Cobras managed to get an eleven point lead but the Rangers managed to pull the deficit back to three points at half time and the crowd knew that they were in for an exciting second half of basketball.

Dandenong came out after the long break and made their baskets count, but Kilsyth managed to keep their noses in front with some great hustle and defensive work. Dandenong again won the quarter but Kilsyth went into the last still up by one.

With the atmosphere buzzing the Swinburne Cobras knew it was now or never but Dandenong were not going to lay down and let Kilsyth run over them and put some great plays together to take the lead with two and a half minutes left a crowd lifting three by Captain Quincy Henderson gave Kilsyth the edge and when he followed up with another basket the Swinburne Cobras were up by four with a minute seventeen left on the clock.

With under a minute remaining Kilsyth turned the ball over and allowed Dandenong to score meaning there was only two points in it, this game was coming down to the wire. Kilsyth were determined to get the win and when Auryn McMillan scored with 27 seconds left on the clock the game was in the bag.

The win is the third on the trot for the Swinburne Cobras and has them now sitting at 4-5, their defensive pressure has been a strength and with the Tim Lang and Auryn McMillan combining in the paint the Season seems to be back on track.

Auryn McMillan was MVP of the match shooting at 90% FG accuracy for his 18 points and three assists, a double double from Tim Lang (18pts, 11rbds) continued his good form. Quincy Henderson (14pts, 5 rbds), Matt O’Hea (10pts), and Zach Malvik (10pts) rounded out the even team performance.

The Swinburne Kilsyth Cobras now travel to Tasmania for the weekend for round 9 action, they come up against Hobart on the Friday night and back it up on the Saturday night against North West Tasmania it will certainly be a huge test for the team but one that can make or break the season.

The Swinburne Kilsyth Cobras travel to Tasmania to take on Hobart Friday May 27 then take on North West Tasmania on Saturday May 28.