A DOMINANT third term resulted in Melbourne Tigers taking care of business against Knox Raiders’ second side in the Victorian Junior Basketball League (VJBL) Under 18 Boys VC Watson Round 4 match on Friday night.

Keen to even the ledger in their season, the Tigers entered the match with the same win-loss ratio as the Raiders with one victory and two losses after three rounds. While it looked like the visitors might cause an upset early days at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC), the Tigers stood tall and blasted home to an eight-point win.

The Raiders raced out to a four-point quarter time lead, and maintained that advantage by the main break. While Knox looked to be the better side on the night, and even lead 41-33 early in the third term. However Melbourne piled on 17 unanswered points to turn an eight-point deficit into a nine-point lead early in the fourth.

While it was even after that, Knox could not bridge the gap and Melbourne was able to secure the eight-point victory, 66-58. Hamish Gordon (13 points) was particularly influential during the 17-0 run, teaming up well with Thomas Bekis (seven). However Archer Donaldson starred all night, putting up 17 points, while Luca Laird (10) impressed as well.

Knox pair Jake Witkowski (19 points) and Jordan Pasula (18) both teamed up for more than half of their side’s score, putting the Raiders on track for victory early. Henry Gulliver (11 points) and Ty Synnott (eight) were the other prime scorers for the second side in what was a tough loss to take their season to 1-3 from four rounds.

In the other VC Watson matches, Kilsyth Cobras’ unbeaten start to the year continued with a strong 17-point win over Geelong United. Charlie Angus (22 points) and Oscar Hipfel (19) were busy in the 82-65 victory, while Ayden Kenshole managed 15 points in defeat.

Meanwhile Dandenong Rangers and Eltham Wildcats continued on their merry ways with wins over Nunawading Spectres and Pakenham Warriors respectively. In the other match, Ballarat Miners completely dismantled Diamond Valley Eagles 87-35 with Lucas Byrne pouring on 24 points in the win.

Looking to the VC Ashe pool and Knox Raiders continued their streak as the only undefeated side with a 59-44 win over Keilor Thunder, while Sandringham stormed past Casey Cavaliers’ second side by 15 points. The Cavaliers’ number one side suffered its first loss of the season, going down to Sunbury by 13 points, while in the other matches, McKinnon accounted for Eltham 2 by 11 points and Frankston destroyed Bendigo by 22.