A dominant first quarter helped propel Melton to a crushing 33-point defeat of Camberwell Dragons in Big V basketball on Saturday night.
The Thoroughbreds were outstanding during the opening term, shooting at above
70 per cent from field-goal range and at a perfect 100 per cent from beyond the three-point line.
That allowed Melton to open up a 24-point lead at the quarter time break.
The home side continued to apply the pressure in the lead-up to half time.
Although the shooting statistics dropped off, the players were still able to combine for 22 points and increase the lead by five.
The 29 point half-time margin was always going to be hard to overcome.
Despite a more competitive effort from Camberwell after the break, there was no stopping the Thoroughbreds, who eventually sealed a 102-69 win.
Anthony Kimble was outstanding for Melton, putting up a game-high 23 points and winning eight rebounds.
He was well supported by Cameron McCallum, who finished with a double/double of 18 points and 10 rebounds.
Highlighting the club’s dominance, 10 players out of Melton’s 12-man roster scored at least four points.
For Camberwell, Heath Hay fought hard and finished the match as his team’s highest scorer with 19 points.
The result means Melton remains third on the division 1 Terrill conference ladder with an 8-7 record.
In what looms as a blockbuster clash, the Thoroughbreds will take on top-of-the-table Geelong Supercats this week.
In other Big V basketball results from the weekend, in a tough hitout Melton’s youth league men’s side went down 93-64 to the Keysborough Cougars.