Norwood has won its fifth game in a row, outlasting a pesky and gallant West Adelaide Bearcats with a scrappy 95-83 win at Port Adelaide. Despite a massive size advantage, Norwood was unable to shake the Bearcats until the final quarter when the lead blew out to 25 before the hosts added late baskets.

Todd Matthews showed why he is considered one of the competition’s elite point guards, clearly winning his battle with the talented Anthony Spadavecchia. Matthews had a game-high 21 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and six steals, keeping Spadavecchia to just six points at 38 percent and four turnovers.

Sam Grantham continued his stellar form, with 15 points at 70% and nine rebounds, and his match-up with
the exciting Kurtis Phillips (15 points, six rebounds) was a match highlight.

West big man Kris Davis battled hard all night for a team-high 18 points and seven boards, while Rory Craddock (13),Daniel Phillips (10) and Kurtis Phillips were the only other Bearcats in double figures.

For the Flames, Matthews (21), Keith Krause (16), Grantham (15), Dan Thompson (14 points, and a game high 12 rebounds), and David Cooper (13 points, seven rebounds, seven blocks) all contributed well.

The Bearcats were left lamenting injuries to talented big men Blake Truslove and Chris Molitor on a night when they were smashed on the boards 65-44. A more even result here may have caused the league leading Flames quite a headache.