Ambassadors punish Pelicans for slow start

Pelicans slumped to their sixth loss of the season after a disastrous start to their Albany Basketball Association men’s A-grade clash with Ambassadors proved costly on Tuesday night.

Ambassadors went on a 10-0 run to start the round 11 encounter, which set up their 14-point win as they climbed to third place on the ladder as a result.

Jaylen Beattie scored twice to go with baskets from Stuart Roberts, Kye Griffiths and Todd Knuiman, who was up against his former side, as they leapt ahead early in the piece.

It took Pelicans almost 10 minutes to score a point as guard Ray Antiporta ended their drought, but Ambassadors had all the control as Beattie and Griffiths helped them to a 12-point half-time lead.

Pelicans hit back with the first seven points of the second half, including a triple from Antiporta, as they looked far more dangerous in attack. The margin was back to five points but that was as close as Pelicans would get as Ambassadors again skipped away despite their poor shooting from long-range.

Ambassadors had 11 consecutive misses from three-point range before Beattie broke that run, and despite that statistic and star Caleb Carmen not scoring until the final eight minutes, their side were coasting.

Young duo Griffiths (12 points) and Beattie (11) were terrific in the 39-25 win, and Ambassadors had all seven players contribute in offence while their defence produced plenty of steals and stops.

Pelicans hit one of 11 three-point attempts and if it was not for Antiporta, the damage could have been a lot worse.

Antiporta finished with 10 points and Dale Crossley added six as their side slipped to seventh in the standings.

Ladder-leaders Knights made a statement against Barking Owls, thrashing last year’s grand finalists by 30 points.

Henrick Alforque was terrific with 23 points and was well supported by Tom Edwards (19) and Henry Alforque (17) as they outclassed Owls 90-60.

Crabs recorded their fourth win of the season after a strong fightback against Kinjarling Thunder, who led by six points midway through the first half.

Down by six, Crabs hit the next 14 points to take an eight-point buffer into the break and then ran out winners, 32-19, with Shane Braimbridge (7) and Zac Pearson (16) influential.

Tigers took care of the Raiders under-18 development squad in the other fixture, 47-36, led by Tim Button (16) and John Santia (15).