BSBL 2022: Late tip-offs a saving grace for one-sided slate of games

Even without two of their playmakers, Bulls Maroon displayed once again why they are a genuine contender for the BSBL men’s championship.

Spectators were forced to rub their eyes on Friday night, with the best matches of the round finishing well after 10.15pm.

Men: Bulls Maroon 101-99 Tornadoes Black

Despite missing Clive Weeden and Trent Worthington, Bulls Maroon lost none of their attacking mojo against Shane Goff’s Tornadoes Black.

Leading by two points with 20 seconds left on the clock, NBL1 West-hardened Travis Durnin — who finished with 20 points — took control of the game and ensured Tornadoes Black players faced an uphill battle to send the game into overtime.

Taking possession with 4.9 seconds left following a time-out, a gallant three-point heave from Black’s Callum Heap sailed wide-right as time expired.

Women: Aces Sky 60-54 Tornadoes Black

A Tiahna Sears-inspired Aces Sky ensured Tornadoes Black remained winless for the fourth consecutive week.

Sears (34 points) was exceptional in the paint throughout, as the Sky took charge of the contest midway during the final quarter.

Leading 52-50 with three minutes and change left in the game, a clever piece of play by Grace Lawler forced a Tornadoes Black turnover, with Molly Wicks laying up her pass with ease.

Seconds later, a wayward pass on the ensuing offensive possession resulted in a turnover, which resulted in Sky being able to manage the clock appropriately.

Aside from the scoreboard, the biggest difference in this game was Aces Sky’s hunger to win offensive rebounds and set up additional scoring opportunities.

Men: Bulls Gold 131-94 Conquerors

In one of their biggest tests so far this season, Conquerors found the going tough against Bulls Gold, who put them out of business before half-time.

While Pharell Keats yet again looked impressive, this victory was set up by a five-star showing from Grayden Read (34 points) who tormented the Conquerors defence at times.

Read, who has hit 13 shots from beyond the arc over the past fortnight, is in a rich vein of form right now, much to the delight of the Bulls faithful.

Women: Aces Navy 88-47 Eaton Eagles

Alira Fotu’s return to Aces Navy for the first time in three weeks proved significant, as the dynamic offensive ace collected 22 points during her side’s convincing victory over the Eagles.

The Eagles were more than competitive for lengthy stages of this game, with Karinda Farrant (26 points) again top scoring for her side.

While Farrant’s influence is an integral component of the Eaton’s offensive identity, quite often Eagles players spurned quality offensive looks by passing to her at-all-costs, rather than taking the best shot available.

In some cases, these were fast-break opportunities after doing the hard work in forcing a Navy turnover.

Had Farrant had more support from her nine other teammates putting up decent numbers across the board, the margin likely would have been far less.

Men: Tornadoes Red 92-59 Bulls

After bursting out to a 33-9 lead early, Tornadoes Red were able to level out and record a convincing win against Bulls, with Liam Tilbrook top-scoring with 20 points.

Men: Aces Sky 133-47 Eaton Eagles

Thomas Worrigal (28 points) had the ball on a string against Aces Sky, who effectively did what they wanted against the lowly Eagles — who appear on course for a winless season, unless they can get some experience into their offensive rotation.

Results

Men: Bulls Gold 131 (Grayden Read 34 points, Pharell Keats 26) d Conquerors 94 (Noah Stewart 23, Jaikie Hastie 20), Tornadoes Red 92 (Liam Tilbrook 20, Philip Gibaut 18) d Bulls 59 (Wil Johns 14, Sugar Eaton 10), Bulls Maroon 101 (Cody Hill 23, Travis Durnin 20) d Tornadoes Black 99 (Luc Perkins 35, Kent Placente 21), Aces Sky 133 (Thomas Worrigal 28, Art Harvey 23) d Eaton Eagles 47 (Samuel Scott 9, Justin Bailye 9)

Women: Aces Navy 88 (Alira Fotu 22, Alexis Donovan 16) d Eaton Eagles 47 (Karinda Farrant 26, Sophia Tomas 8), Aces Sky 60 (Tiahna Sears 34, Addison Edwards 7) d Tornadoes Black 54 (Ebony Bilcich 15, Zaya Black 12)