By Tara Murray
Melton Thoroughbreds have kept their Big V women’s division 2 finals hopes alive with a thrilling overtime win against the Coburg Giants.
With five teams fighting for two spots, the Thoroughbreds needed to win to keep their hopes alive.
After a good start, the Thoroughbreds let up in the second quarter, with scores level at half time.
It was an even third quarter, with Giants ahead by two points at the last break.
Both sides had chances in the final quarter, but couldn’t convert, with the teams finishing regular time at 53 apiece.
The Thoroughbreds were able to hit the front in overtime, winning 67-63.
For Thoroughbreds coach Lauren Olcorn it was a nervous few minutes watching the game from the other side of the country.
In Perth for work, Olcorn had to rely on live stats to get her through.
She said acting coach Christian Impey and assistant Chantelle Paris-Webb did a really good job.
“It keeps our finals hopes alive,” she said.
“We have to win the next two matches to move into the top five, we still have glimmer of hope.”
Olcorn said they had some really good patches on Saturday night, but let themselves down at other times.
She pointed out a poor second quarter as costly.
“We started off well and then the game fluctuated,” she said.
“Our second quarters have been quite poor and we made some poor decisions and we’ve been working on it.
“Last night it was a factor, we had to fight hard to come away with the win.”
Olcorn said both sides had chances late in regular time to seal the game, but were hurt by poor shot selection.
Jenna Conroy top scored for the Thoroughbreds with 22 points.
“Jenna is an experienced and skilled player,” she said.
“She knows when to step up.”
Stacey Procak chipped in with 17 points, while Molly Young was big on the boards, taking 14 rebounds.
The win keeps the Thoroughbreds’ finals hopes alive and all but ends the Giants.
The Thoroughbreds sit seventh, but are only one game outside the top five with two rounds remaining.
The Thoroughbreds face sixth-placed Wallan Panthers and fourth-placed Sherbrooke Suns in their final two matches.
The Thoroughbreds will have to win both matches if they are any hope of playing finals.
“Anyone can beat anyone in this division,” Olcorn said.
Meanwhile in men’s division 2, the Thoroughbreds had a big win against Sherbrooke Suns.
Melton Thoroughbreds opened up a 23-point lead after the first three quarters.
While they lost the last quarter, they had done enough to win 86-67.
Yovvan Zoric top scored with 18 points for the Thoroughbreds.
Melton Thoroughbreds sit seventh, with finals already out of the equation.
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