By Tara Murray
An undermanned Bacchus Marsh came away with a crucial win against Portland Coasters in the Country Basketball League south west competition.
Co-coach Jeff Feben said they thought Portland would be a danger game but the Lions hit the lead early in the last quarter and were able to stay there, winning 88-81.
With just eight players making the trip and missing their centres, the Lions were far from full strength.
Feben said with that in mind, just staying in the game was the focus.
“It’s been hard to get a read on Portland,” he said.
“We only played with eight players and they have a decent big man.
“We were a bit worried about it. We didn’t have our big boys and Max [Beaumont]. It was good to get that win.”
Feben said despite a slow start, they only trailed by four points at quarter-time.
The two teams traded the lead throughout the next two quarters as neither team could gain the ascendency.
The Lions chances were harmed when they lost Daniel Jackson to a shoulder injury in the third quarter.
That was compounded with several players in foul trouble. Feben said they didn’t help themselves.
“We gave away too many fouls,” he said. “We put them in the bonus far too early in every quarter.”
Diquan Williams and Tyler Collins both fouled out, leaving the Lions with only five players.
Jordan Kirk became the third Lions player fouled off late in the final quarter, but after the win was sealed.
Feben said it was Kirk and Billy Feben who stepped up in the last quarter when they needed to.
“They got some good points and got us in front and we were able to hold that lead,” he said.
“They stand up every week. You know in a crisis they are pretty cool and can get baskets to get us in a competitive spot. They know each other so well.”
Billy Feben finished with 27 points and he now averages 23 points a game for the season.
Kirk scored 23 points and averages nearly 20 points a game.
The Lions have a bye this week. They have played more matches than most of the teams in the competition.
They then have two games before the Christmas break, then two more games before finals.
The Lions currently sit in the top four and the top five teams have opened up a gap on the rest of the pack.
Jeff Feben said they were happy with how things had panned out so far in their first season.
“Hopefully we can continue what we’ve been doing and play finals,” he said.
“The first goal was to ensure that we were competitive and aim for finals.
“We are on target for that and if we can achieve that goal, we will then look to reassess.”
MORE CBL NEWS
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/kyneton-tigers-tamed-on-the-road/
