Hawks beat Buccs in overtime thriller
Sun City Plumbing Geraldton Buccaneers have fallen just short of the biggest upset of the 2011 men’s State Basketball League season, losing to the Total Connections Perry Lakes Hawks 103-98 in overtime.
Without star players Ben Pepper and Matt Wundenberg, a determined Buccs’ outfit pushed a sluggish Perry Lakes’ side that came from behind at the final change to force overtime.
Geraldton led by as much as 16 points halfway through the third quarter and 12 with 10 minutes left in the final period but the Hawks clawed their way back into the contest, especially after Buccaneers star Aaron Ralph fouled out early in the fourth.
Anthony Lee (34 points) and Ben Purser (28 points) the main culprits in dragging the Hawks back.
With 34 seconds left and scores tied Perry Lakes had a chance to hit the lead but Joe-Alan Tupaea was called for travelling as he drove to the basket. The Buccs’ then had a chance to take the lead in the dying seconds but Michael Lay was unable to hit the mid-range jump shot.
Peter Crawford had one final chance to snatch victory in regular time with a half-court buzzer beater that hit the ring but was unsuccessful.
Perry Lakes never trailed in overtime and ran away with the win.
Hawks’ coach Dion Dagostino put his side’s sluggish performance down to inconsistencies within the squad due to injury and sickness.
“That’s the seventh crazy game we’ve had this season. I can’t wait to have our boys back, we’ve got (Andy) Burns out with injury, Jesse Dixon out sick, Rory Pekin’s out and Chris Nolan just got back from Bali,” he said.
“We got PC (Crawford) out of bed this morning and said you’re playing.
“After a disappointing loss last night it’s good to get a win today.
“We’ve developed a habit of only deciding to play in the fourth quarter. I don’t know how we can change it.”
Geraldton coach Ray Evans said he was pleased with his side's determination in the absence of Wundenberg, Pepper and, later in the game, Ralph.
"I think the boys played some awesome basketball. They came out with some real intensity, even though we had our two key big guys out," he said.
"They gave it everything they had, but in overtime we just ran out of legs."
In round 18 Perry Lakes face Rockingham on Friday night and the Tigers on Saturday while Geraldton are back home against the Slammers on Saturday.
Article by Ben Cameron at the WA Basketball Centre
Photo by Travis Hayto (Outerbounds Photography)
Comments
Comment Guidelines: The SportsTG Network is made up of players, families and passionate sports followers like you who have a strong opinion about sport. That's great - we want you to have your say and share your thoughts with the world. However, we have a few rules that you must follow to keep it fun for all. Please don't be rude, abusive, swear or vilify others. Apart from some pretty serious sport sanctions, we also can ban you and report you if things get out of hand. So play fair and have fun, and thanks for your contribution.