KILSYTH Cobras found themselves overrun in the final term in their clash against the Keilor Thunder in Round 11 of the Big V Youth Championship Women’s over the weekend, with the latter getting the job done by seven points.

It was a highly anticipated clash given both sides are right in the hunt for the championship, and the two teams came into the clash with 10-plus wins to their name. While the Cobras would have home court advantage at Kilsyth Sports Centre, Sunday afternoon’s clash could have gone either way.

Although the match was tied heading into the fourth quarter, the Thunder managed to pull through in the final 10 minutes of the match, sneaking away with a seven-point win to stay in touch with the top two in the standings.

Kilsyth Cobras (65) def. by Keilor Thunder (72)

It was a scrappy start to the contest, with both sides missing their first few jumpshots in the opening minutes of the game. As the quarter rolled on, offence began to flow more for both sides, and it was excellent back and forth action. Although the Thunder led by five points for most of the quarter, a late burst from the Cobras saw the hosts take a three-point buffer into the first change.

It was more of the same scrappy action to start the second frame, with neither side able to truly break away on the scoreboard as the lead changed hands multiple times. However, a late triple in the final seconds of the match to Keilor’s Jaz Salon capped off a late run for the visitors, and gave the Thunder a two-point lead at half time.

The Cobras looked to press their claims in the third quarter, but could only muster up a four-point lead as both sides struggled with efficiency from the field. However, the Cobras would not go away, and a late layup to Macey Boyle ensured proceedings were tied with a quarter to play, setting up a grandstand finish.

The fourth quarter delivered in the opening minutes, with both sides going on runs scoring the basketball and taking the lead back in the first half of the term. A huge three-pointer to Emilia Marinkovic gave the Thunder some breathing space, before teammate Chantal Vitale followed suit a couple of minutes later, and that lead proved to be definitive.

Thunder captain Boyle was excellent in the seven-point win, leading from the front with a productive performance and chiming in for some timely makes over the course of the match. She finished with 21 points, 18 rebounds and five assists in a stat-stuffing performance.

For the Cobras, Hannah Day was the star of the show, posting 19 points on 6/12 shooting in an excellent scoring performance, while Lily Exton had a huge double-double of 12 points and 15 rebounds despite the tough loss.

Across the courts

Bendigo (77) def. by McKinnon (100)
Sandringham (79) def. by Altona (88)
Dandenong (83) def. Ringwood (63)
Diamond Valley (81) def. Casey (62)
Waverley (66) def. Frankston (62)
McKinnon (62) def. by Waverley (91)
Frankston (54) def. by Melbourne (94)
Nunawading (74) def. Bulleen (54)
Pakenham (93) def. Bendigo (76)