Posted on 14 June, 2011
After dropping four games by three points already this season, the luck finally turned for the Swinburne Kilsyth Cobras getting over the line by three points against the Sandringham Sabres, 71-68.
The Swinburne Cobras started on fire outscoring Sandringham 28-14 in the first quarter, thanks to some great shooting at the three point line by Matt O’Hea. The second quarter saw Kilsyth extend their lead to 21 points, the large home crowd was treated to one of the best first halves of basketball from their Swinburne Cobras following on from their comfortable win against Brisbane last Sunday.
However the game was a tale of two halves with Sandringham fighting back to ensure the game came down to the wire. Kilsyth managed to draw the lead out to as much as 27 points four minutes into the third quarter, however some great shooting in the final few minutes of the quarter saw the lead cut back to 16 points, then with nine seconds on the clock Sandringham drew the foul on an attempted three and a subsequent tech foul meant that the Sabres went to the line for five free throws to close the gap to just 13 points going into the final quarter.
Kilsyth knew that they needed a huge last quarter effort if they were to get over the line, but Sandringham kept coming, gradually drawing in the 13 point margin to finally be one point in front with under a minute to play, some great play by Captain Quincy Henderson saw the Swinburne Cobras take back the lead with 41 seconds left on the clock.
The Sabres fouled out to try and cause the turnover but were unable to do so, with Kilsyth up by three points with 21 seconds to go, Sandringham almost pulled the game into overtime with some three point attempts but to no avail, the Swinburne Kilsyth, much to the jubilation of the crowd, pulled of a nail-biting three point win to secure third position on the east-conference ladder.
Matt O’Hea (21pts, 7rbds) was outstanding as was Quincy Henderson with a double-double (12pts, 12rbds); Zach Malvik was instrumental in the first quarter scoring seven of his 17 points for the game. Kilsyth now face Ballarat at home this Saturday night at home.
The Swinburne Kilsyth Cobras play Ballarat this Saturday night tip-off is at 8:15pm on Hugh McMenamin Court.
