THE Mount Gambier Pioneers have claimed yet another home-court victory on their way to the play-offs in the South East Australian Basketball League.
It was a rousing victory over Albury Wodonga Bandits Friday night at the Icehouse, with a tight contest coming from the visitors, who did not give the home side an inch for the majority of the game.
It was an important game for the Bandits, sitting in fourth spot at the time, with a play-off position on the line.
The Pioneers were looking to sew up top position on the South Conference ladder, which they have now achieved, all adding to the intensity of the night.
The results gives the Pioneers a guaranteed two home playoff games.
Another major focus on the night was the support for Lifeline, with a yellow playing strip and funds raised from the auction of guernseys after the game and on Saturday night, with over $3000 going to the organisation.
The Bandits were coming off a last-round win and needed to keep that momentum going to make the play-offs.
It was never going to be a walk in the park for the home side, especially with three-point shooter Erik Burdon out with an injury and the first quarter set the scene for the epic showdown.
The 22-all quarter-time score suggested a tough night at the office, which continued into the second.
Deba George was having a major impact on the game, with 25 first-half points causing all kinds of problems for the Pioneers.
However, a change of focus after the long break kept him to just four points for the remainder of the game.
By half time the margin was just two points in favour of the home side, with the third quarter seeing a small break and a nine-point advantage at the final change.
It was in that final stanza where the home side began to open the game up, with Luke Jamieson draining a three-point basket just 15 seconds in to set the scene.
However, both sides traded baskets from there on, with the margin just nine points with six-and-a-half minutes to play.
Daniel Alexander then slammed home a dunk, which was followed up soon after by a tip-in from Jamieson.
James Terrell responded with a three-point basket for the visitors, but Brad Hill stepped up and knocked down his own three to extend the margin.
With the game still in the balance, Hill then dunked over George to the pleasure of the crowd, for a 17-point lead with just four minutes to play.
There was no coming back from there for the Bandits, with the home side running out 21-point victors.
Jamieson and Alexander top scored for the Pioneers with 21 points each, while Hill managed a tidy 20.
Jack Madgen was also prominent with 15 points.
Coach Richard Hill said the game panned out to be everything he expected.
“They had an awful lot to play for and have some pretty talented players,” he said.
“Fortunately we were able to do the job on one of their key guys (Terrell), which was what we needed to do.
“We were able to close Deba (George) down in the second half.
“We went into the half time two up and he had 25 points, so we felt like we were in pretty good shape.
“We were able to keep him to four in the second half.”
Hill said he felt his side played a solid first half, with several players standing up to the challenge.
“In real terms we had three guys finish with 20 points, which is a good spread,” he said.
“Throw in Jack (Magden), who got off the chain early and John (Jones), who gave us a good burst off the bench and it set us up.”
Hill said the contest was typical of what has been seen at the Icehouse this season, with the Pioneers yet to drop a game, but being challenged on several occasions, which he expected to continue this week.
“Our fans have been pretty lucky,” he said.
“Going right back to Geelong, we’ve had some good wins by decent margins, but the games haven’t been blowouts.
“They have been really competitive games and this week will be no different with Hobart coming in.”
The Pioneers are yet to play Hobart this season, with the Chargers chasing top position on the South Conference ladder to finish their minor season on a high.
