Jan Warbout scored 22 and 7 rebounds as Sturt restricted Forestville to just 32 per cent shooting in their 88-72 victory at Wayville on Saturday night.

Despite poor shooting nights from Jacob Holmes (3-14 FG, 0-4 3FG) and Darren Ng (6-19 FG, 0-6 3FG), the Sabres still got the job done offensively, largely thanks to 16 offensive rebounds and an assist to turnover ratio of 25:9.

Holmes and Ng still made major contributions, the former posting 17 rebounds and 10 assists and the latter grabbing 12 boards of his own.

Tom Daly had 16 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists, while Tim Klaosen and Mark Bauer (10 points apiece) both snuck under the Eagles’ guard.

Trent Fildes was the best for Forestville, posting 17 points and 13 rebounds.

After dominating over his first three matches, Rashad Tucker shot just 7-24 from the field, finishing with 18 points and 15 rebounds.

Brad Sullivan scored 13 points, but shot just 4-17, while Nic Blair had 12 points and 6 boards.

Sturt scored the first six points and appeared the better team early, however, Blair scored a couple of quick baskets after being inserted into the game, keeping things close.

At quarter-time, the Sabres led 19-16.

The Sabres took control during the second quarter, where Tucker was restricted after picking up a third foul early in the period.

Tucker’s third foul occurred with 8.32 remaining in the period, and Forestville trailing 16-21.

The former NBL star remained in the game, but was able to exert the interior defence he had done over the opening three games.

Offensively, Tucker was unable to find a feel for the game. The import had already picked up one charge, and the Sturt defenders were using every opportunity to try and step in and take another.

With the Eagles’ key man suddenly a non-factor, the likes of Daly were able to get into the paint at will and either set up a teammate for a lay-up, or put the ball in the hoop himself. Only Blair offered much resistance for Forestville.

Tucker was substituted for the final four minutes, and the Sabres continued their dominance en route to a 41-30 lead.

The third quarter was much like the second, with Sturt outscoring Forestville 26-20, giving them a 67-50 advantage at three quarter-time. This time, it was Fildes who looked the only likely Eagles scorer.

Their lead blew out to as much as 20 in the fourth, with the Eagles putting a bit of respectability on the scoreboard during junk-time, eventually going down by 16.

Defining moment: Sturt were well on top from the outset, but it was not until after Tucker’s third personal that they began putting it on the scoreboard. With the exception of Blair in the second quarter and Fildes in the third, the Eagles struggled to put points on the board, and they were well and truly overmatched defensively.

Sturt verdict: The Sabres showed on Saturday what they are capable of with a full strength line-up on the floor. They were magnificent defensively, and their offence will only improve. Do not expect Holmes and Ng to combine for 9-33 too many more times. Norwood, Eastern and Centrals should feel fortunate to have already played Sturt once, as the reigning champs will surely build on this performance in their upcoming fixtures. The Sabres are now 2-2.

Forestville verdict: This was a major wake-up call for the previously undefeated Eagles. After matches against Southern, Woodville and South, this was obviously their toughest matchup this season, and they were not up to the challenge. They will need to bring more intensity when they take on the league’s top tier, and will need to not be so Tucker-conscious. Forestville’s next two matches (against West and Norwood) will give a good indication of if this was just a one-off poor performance, or whether they are not capable of competing against the elite. 

By James Woite