Tara Murray
The Altona Gators were able to hold off the Melton Thoroughbreds in an overtime thriller in the Big V men’s division 2 competition.
While at different ends of the ladder, it meant little on Saturday night with the Gators winning 100-99.
Scores were level at quarter time, before the Gators opened a four point lead heading into half time,
The Thoroughbreds responded and with a 26-20 third quarter were able to take the lead by two points heading into the final quarter.
Having not won since before the Easter break, there was plenty of pressure on the Thoroughbreds.
The two teams traded the lead in the last quarter as they looked to get any advantage that they could.
The Thoroughbreds led by two points with 15 seconds left after Cooper McIntosh hit a throw.
The Gators called a time out to set up some final seconds plays.
The Gators went for the win with Thomas Georgiadis putting up a three-point shot. The shot missed by Adam Anderson got the rebound and put the tip back in to level the scores.
Liam Allison had a two point shot to win the game for the Thoroughbreds but it missed forcing the game to overtime.
The two teams continued to trade points in the overtime period, with the game going down to the final play of the game.
The Thoroughbreds hit the lead for the final time with 22 seconds remaining through two free throws made by Liam Allison.
Georgiadis missed a lay up to level the scores, but the Gators got an offensive rebound. Anderson then missed a lay up, but Tyson Burton got the tip in with one second to go to give his side the win, 100-99.
Anderson finished with 27 points for the Gators, while Jovan Bojanic scored 23 points off the bench,
For the Thoroughbreds, Koby Skenderis top scored with 28 points, while Blake Allison had 22 points.
Altona sits second on the ladder with 10 wins from 12 matches.
There is a bye this week for the King’s Birthday.
Next round, Altona faces the Craigieburn Eagles and thenSherbrooke, while the Thoroughbreds host the Whittlesea Pacers before playing the Mornington Breakers.
The Gators women’s had a bye.
Meanwhile in the youth league competitions, the Gators had a good win in the Victorian youth championship, beating 95-84.
Alicia Sciberras top scored with 22 points.
In the youth league 1 men’s, Altona lost 119-93 to Wyndham.
