Big V – round 3
MAINTAINING top billing in Big V Division 2 were the Keysborough Cougars men, thrashing North East Bushrangers by 36 points (81 to 45).
Holding the home side to a scant nine points in the first quarter, Keysborough’s defence was too much for the Bushrangers to shoot through.
Nathaniel O’Hara (17 points, 6 rebounds) led the scoresheet for the Cougars while Jackson Houpt (17 points, 6 rebounds) also featured prominently in the win with Kevin Benn (11 points, 10 rebounds) reeling in one of his customary double-doubles.
Keysborough women went close to their first victory in the grey, red and blue – downed 64 to 77 by fellow newcomers North East Bushrangers. The Cougars’ three-point game in the second quarter lit up the court as Tamara Hewish (22 points) hit six-from-11 from beyond the line.
Foul trouble cost the Cougars the playing services of Lucinda Johnson (8 points, 5 rebounds) and Tamara Booth (11 points, 5 rebounds) while three other Keysborough players also found their way to four fouls in a rough-and-tumble clash for both sides.
Ratika Palat (10 points, 7 rebounds) also notched double figures while Nikolina Sukurica (9 points) notched her best figures for the Cougars.
Keysborough men and women finished their north-east sojourn with a trip to Shepparton Basketball Stadium, with the matches completed after the Journal went to print.
A double-header at Springers Leisure Centre on Saturday evening April 5, has both Keysborough’s sides facing Coburg Giants from 6pm.
