By JARROD POTTER
THE comeback trail will be tough for Keysborough Cougars, downed 80-91 against Melton in the first of their three-match Big V semi-final series.
No strategy worked from the Keysborough contingent to contain Thoroughbreds’ shooting stallion Jeff Crowe – who posted 36 points – with 5/10 three-pointers – five rebounds, six assists, three steals and two blocks.
Keysborough pushed hard to keep pace with Melton, but a woeful third term – shooting 2/18 at 11 per cent from the field – put the Cougars on the back-foot.
It was their free-throw shooting that kept Keysborough in the contest – going at 91.7 per cent in the third to shoot 70.8 across the entire match.
Alistair Granger led the Cougars’ initiative – posting 18 points and five rebounds – from the point, while Kevin Benn (16 points, eight rebounds) and Robert Ostojic (nine points, nine rebounds) held back the Melton talls as best they could in the paint.
Nathaniel O’Hara (11 points) and Steve Haddrell (10 points) rounded out the top scorers.
Keysborough will need to win both matches this weekend to advance to grand final and avenge last year’s 1-2 series loss to Craigieburn.
Their first clash tips off on Saturday night at Melton Indoor Recreation Centre at 7.30pm. If Keysborough wins on Saturday night, the third and deciding match will be played at Melton at 2pm Sunday.
