Basketball: Foul gifts Ambassadors

An intentional foul in the dying moments of Friday’s spicy round 12 men’s A-grade clash between Ambassadors and Tigers handed Ambassadors a thrilling one-point victory.

Picture by Dave Polette: Tigers’ John Santia gets fouled on his way to the hoop by Ambassadors’ Matt Cowie (15) and Simon Clarendon (2).

Tigers, the defending Albany Basketball Association men’s champions, were trailing by four points with less than two minutes remaining but a clutch threepointer from Carwin Garcia and two successful free throws to John Santia gifted their side the lead.

Ambassadors guard Tom Powell produced a steal in the Tigers offensive half but was pushed by Tigers Phil Beattie as he shot and it was deemed an intentional foul.

Powell nailed both from the charity stripe and his side hung on to record a 38-37 victory.

It was dramatic scenes to end a match that was controlled mostly by Ambassadors until they lost their seven-point half-time lead in the second half.

Garcia added seven second-half points to finish the match with 11 but Santia (12 points) was kept fairly quiet.

Powell (9), Matt Goodall (5) and Dave Clarendon (11) were outstanding for the winners, who now slip up to second spot on the ABA ladder and remain a genuine threat to the Tigers’ and Barking Owls’ championship hopes with a finals double-chance beckoning.

Ambassadors coach Greg Cowie said he was always confident with Powell at the line.

“The foul shot at the end, the ball was in the right guy’s hands. You couldn’t have wanted it any better … they have been on top for a reason,” he said.

Cowie was extremely pleased with his team’s defence but said their offence can still improve. “We played solid (defence) and our defensive rotations was really setting it for us,” he said.

“Offensively we were a bit short points wise but it’s still a good result and I am very pleased.”

Tigers captain Tim Button said his side felt the loss of Corey Hill and Ben Polette.

“We didn’t deserve to win it, we were behind all game,” he said.

“That doesn’t help (our cause), that game will go along way to deciding the top two.”

With Tigers now slipping to third, Barking Owls remain at the top of the ladder after a 17-point win over Bearded Dragons.