By DAVID NAGEL
BIG cats don’t hibernate, but the Keysborough Cougars were certainly asleep when their round 15 clash against the Western Port Steelers began at the Somerville Recreation Centre.
Saturday night’s Division Two Big V clash was over in the blink of an eye; the Cougars outplayed, and outscored 10-29 in the first quarter on their way to a 26-point, 59-85 defeat.
The Cougars shot at a lowly 27 per cent (4 from 15) from the field in the first term, while the Steelers had hot-hands, 11 of 17 attempts finding the net at a 64 per cent completion rate.
That stat evened out as the night wore on, but the damage was done as the Cougars slumped to their second consecutive loss after falling to Maccabi Warriors last week.
The Cougars got smashed on the glass at the offensive end, the Steelers raking in 23 defensive rebounds while the Cougars could manage just four, second play attempts. The Cougars could manage just 22 per cent (5 from 23) from the three-point line while the Steelers accuracy continued with (6 from 10) a fantastic 60 percent from long range.
Highlights were few and far between for the Cougars with Kevin Benn (12 points, 4 rebounds) and Alistair Granger (11 points, 1 rebound) the main contributors on the night.
The Cougars, who have now slumped to sixth on the table, need to wake up quick as they host the Coburg Giants at the Springers Leisure Centre this Saturday night with a 7pm tip-off.
An away trip to take on the Mornington Breakers and then a visit from the Pakenham Warriors will round out their season.
