Melton Thoroughbreds were unable to come away with the points in the opening round of the Big V men’s division 2 season.
The new-look Thoroughbreds faced the Wallan Panthers on Saturday night at Caroline Springs Leisure Centre, with the Melton facility unavailable.
It was the ideal start for the Thoroughbreds, who were missing Blake Allison from their starting line up.
The Thoroughbreds led by eight points at quarter time, but the margin was back to one point half time.
The third quarter, the highest scoring quarter of the match, was fairly even with the Panthers winning it by one shot to level the scores at the last break.
The two teams were neck and neck in the final quarter, with an Aaron Gadsden lay up leaving the Thoroughbreds one point down with 1.49 left on the clock.
The Panthers were then sent to the foul line on three occasions in the dying minutes.
After hitting five free throws in a row gave the Panthers an 87-81.
The Thoroughbreds couldn’t hit a shot in the dying minutes as the Panthers won 87-81.
Liam Allison top scored with 21 points while Koby Skenderis, Gadsden and Michael Thompson also scored in double figures.
The Thoroughbreds youth league men’s division 2 side also started the season with a loss to the Panthers.
It was an even first quarter, with the Thoroughbreds trailing by two points.
The Panthers took over the game in the second quarter to extend the lead by 17 points at the main break.
The Panthers showed some resistance in the third quarter to reduce the margin back to 13 points at the last break.
The Panthers strength showed through in the fourth quarter, as they ran away with a 94-76 win.
Tyson Hamilton was the star for the Thoroughbreds with 22 points.
James Conroy and Madiar Chipuowuop also scored double figures.
The division 2 men have a double header this weekend, facing Maccabi on Saturday night, before playing the Surf Coast on Sunday.
The youth league men face the Whittlesea Pacers before playing the Surf Coast on Sunday.
