By JARROD POTTER
Big V Division 2 – round 4
KEYSBOROUGH’s Lady Cougars almost claimed their inaugural victory leaving Coburg to scramble back in with a 51-68 loss.
The Cougars held a three-point lead at half-time before the Giants started to rouse into life.
Single-digit quarters in the second-half ruined the chances of win number one and their first success on home court.
A 9-18 steal discrepancy hurt the Cougars in transition, but their fourth loss in Big V Division 2 women showed the best signs yet for coach Robert Ostojic and his charges.
Tamara Hewish (16 points) hit her straps from the three-point arc early – shooting 4-9 – while Sarah Collins (13 points, 16 rebounds) was an immense presence in the key and led the Cougars to out-rebound the Giants 50-46.
Tamara Booth (8 points, 13 rebounds) almost snared a double-double of her own while Lucinda Johnson (8 rebounds) also stood strongly under the defensive basket.
The Cougars men did not fare any better against Coburg, with Keysborough downed 79-81.
In a carbon-copy of the women’s clash, Keysborough got out of the blocks early to take a 52- 41 lead into the half-time break as Jackson Houpt (18 points, 8 rebounds) and Eric Miraflores (15 points, 7 rebounds, 9 assists) was exceptional – almost pushing through for a rare Big V triple-double as he fed the ball to his taller team mates Nathaniel O’Hara (13 points, 8 rebounds) and centreman Kevin Benn (5 points, 8 rebounds).
The three-point game dried up after half-time for the Cougars, with only one of their 10 long-range shots dropping while the Giants raced to a 25-17 last quarter scoring spree to take the two-point win.
Keysborough men drop to third in Big V Division 2 Men and face Keilor away on Saturday night while the women host Mornington Breakers at Springers Leisure Centre from 7pm on Saturday.
