THE Mount Gambier Pioneers men claimed a comfortable 31-point victory over Norwood Flames Saturday night in round 13 of the Premier League basketball season.
The game began with a solid opening term from the visiting Pioneers, who were out to a 10-point advantage at the first break.
A fair amount of the 31 points came off the cool hand of Erik Burdon, who drained four three-point bombs to set up the lead.
Captain Tom Daly was in control in the second term, along with Americans DayJar Dickson and Kentrell Barkley.
With three minutes to play in the term Dickson slipped in a regulation layup, then followed up with a dunk to silence the crowd for a 20-point lead.
The Flames hit back, but at the long break the margin was still 18.
The Pioneers opened the game up in the third term, on the back of a 14-point haul to Daly.
They banged on 31 points for the quarter to take a decisive 30-point lead at the final break.
It was all a formality from there, as the Pioneers added another 23 points to finish the game off.
Six Pioneers reached double figures – Tom Daly 29, Barkley 16, Burdon 15, Brad Rathjen 14, Sam Daly 13 and Dickson 12.
Barkley’s game was highlighted by a huge 22 rebounds, while Dickson also managed a double-double, with 10.
The Pioneers backed up well on Sunday with another comfortable win, this time over Central Districts Lions.
The Lions were never really in the contest, with the Pioneers out to an 11-point margin at the first break and going on from there.
A further 31 points were added in the second term to stretch the margin out to 21.
The onslaught did not abate after the long break, with the Pioneers intent on putting the Lions away.
That came from the hands of Barkley and again Burdon, who were both on target outside the three-point arc.
Barkley added nine points for the term, while Burdon contributed six, as the Pioneers stretched the margin out to an unassailable 29 points.
Again the Pioneers ran the game out and while matched by the home side, recorded a 31-point win.
Barkley and Tom Daly top scored for the visitors with 24 points each, while Dickson and Sam Daly (18), Burdon (15) and Lachie Hunter (14) all reached double figures.
Coach Richard Hill said it was pleasing to see the side play so well on Saturday night.
“That was probably as good as we have played for a while, even last year,” he said.
“Norwood is a good team, but we never gave them a look in.
“We did all the things we spoke about doing, so it was a credit to the guys.
“It was our best defensive effort for the year.”
Hill paid a special mention to Tom Daly’s game.
“Tom’s game was exceptional,” he said.
“He had the job of guarding (James) Legan, who torched us last time.
“Tom probably had the best weekend of basketball he has had for a while.
“He had to defend the team’s top scorer Saturday and Sunday and did that unbelievably well, as well as scoring points himself.”
As for Barkley’s efforts on Saturday night, Hill said it was just “KB doing what he does”.
“He is a rebounding machine,” Hill said.
“I am not sure I have seen anyone at this level dominate the boards like him.
“He is not that big, but has the ability to find the ball and read it.”
The Pioneers now sit third on the ladder, with the system used by Basketball SA.
The top four sides – North Adelaide, Forestville, Mount Gambier and Norwood – all have 11 wins each.
Of the four, North Adelaide has played one extra game and sits top, but also has one extra loss.
The Pioneers now have a break for the June long weekend before returning to the floor on June 15 for round 15 at home.
