Thunder strike after buzzer to tie scores

Kinjarling Thunder point guard Cohen Taylor salvaged a draw after the final buzzer against Crabs after the Thunder coughed up an 11-point half-time lead in their round 2 clash in the Albany Basketball Association men’s A-grade competition on Tuesday night.

The Thunder looked in control at half-time after Taylor, along with big man Stuart Myers and the versatile Michael Simpson, helped their side seize control and push out to a comfortable 21-10 lead.

But Crabs pegged their way back into the game as Daniel Abbot and Zac Pearson hit the scoreboard.

Scores to Shane Braimbridge and Pearson brought the margin back to three points and when Abbott made a lay-up it was a one-point margin.

Pearson was sent to the free-throw line and converted on both to give Crabs their first lead.

With the Thunder down by a point with 30 seconds left, Taylor was fouled as he brought the ball into the front court, sending him to the free-throw line with Crabs in the penalty.

Taylor, shooting after the buzzer, missed the first shot before sinking the second to leave scores level at 28-28 in a tense finale.

Taylor led all scorers with 11 points, while Abbott finished with eight points for Crabs.

Meanwhile, Knights won their second straight game with a 47-42 victory against Barking Owls, led by Matt Leary and Keanu Weeden, who both finished with 11 points.

Tigers easily accounted for the Raiders under-18 development squad 60-29 as Tim Button finished with 15 points and Dean Gliosca had 13, while Raiders’ Henry Alforque scored seven points.

Ambassadors notched their first win of the season with a 54-41 result against Pelicans as guard Ryan Barber poured in 16 points, while Pelicans’ Ray Antiporta finished with 15 points.