Melton Thoroughbreds hope to use Saturday night’s 23-point win over Melbourne University Black Angels to push for a finals position in Big V division 1 basketball.
After being inconsistent and plagued by poor shooting in recent rounds, the Thoroughbreds put in one of their season’s best performances with a 93-70 win at Melbourne University Sports Centre.
The Black Angels, who have won only two games for the season, took it up to the Thoroughbreds in the first quarter as they looked for an upset win.
But it was the second term where the Thoroughbreds won the match with some remarkable shooting.
They hit 13 of 16 field goal attempts, including three of five three-pointers, at a shooting percentage of 81.3 per cent for the quarter.
As a result, the one-point lead at quarter-time had been turned into an 18-point advantage by half-time.
The second half saw the Black Angels put up nine more field goal attempts than the Breds, but they were unable to make inroads as the visitors continued to shoot well.
The Thoroughbreds shot at 54 per cent from the field and 37 per cent from beyond the three-point line. Coach Mick Downie said it was good to finally have the shots fall in.
“It’s something we spoke about, something I know I’m sick of seeing,” he said.
“The field goal shooting was good, from the free throw line it wasn’t as good [shooting at only 48.5 per cent].”
Downie said the team had set itself to win this game.
“Melbourne Uni are not travelling the best,” he said. “We set our sights on a couple of goals, to try to win this game and the next few rounds.
“[The players] know now is the time to start playing consistent basketball if they’re going to play finals.
“We set our sights on a seven-game bracket, starting with this one, to try to string some wins together against other teams who are in finals contention. Our season is in our own hands.”
Downie also used the match as an opportunity to get senior minutes into some of the youth team members; all up, 12 players took to the court.
Anthony Kimble top-scored with 28 points, while three other players hit double figures.
Melton plays the Warrnambool Seahawks this week.
