Basketball: Tigers tip Owls off top

Tigers have snatched top spot off Barking Owls in the men’s A-grade basketball competition after a hard-fought five-point win on Friday.

Picture by Dave Polette: Bearded Dragons guard Stuart Roberts on his way to the ring

Missing captain Tim Button to an ankle injury during the week proved no distraction for last year’s Albany Basketball Association A-grade premiers as they stormed to a 48-43 victory in the round six clash.

Tigers point guard John Santia led the way for his side with 25 points while Owls captain Justin Benson singlehandedly kept his team in the match courtesy of his 23 points.

In what was a see-sawing affair, Tigers controlled the tempo for much of the match and, with just 10 minutes remaining, led by 10 points.

However, the Owls were not done and added five unanswered points to halve the deficit.

Carwin Garcia steadied with two free throws for Tigers before Benson bobbed up to nail back-to-back baskets, reducing the margin to three points with 1:45 left on the clock, but through Garcia and Santia the Tigers were able to prevail and regain top spot.

Both teams started the match on fire, shooting nine three- pointers between themselves during the first period but it was Tigers, who shot at 43 per cent from the field and 53 per cent beyond the arch for the match, who handed the Owls their first defeat of the season.

“We shot amazingly well from the three point line,” the injured Button said.

“Our defensive intensity was up and the boys got back on the job tonight.” Button said the win not only sent them back to the top of the ladder but set up a top two finish.

Benson said his side, who shot six of 22 from the field in the second term, could not find the net.

“Disgraceful, 14 points in the second half,” he said.

“We make a few shots early and then fall in love with the three-point line.”

The Owls’ loss was soured by the loss of guard Kelvin Santia who seriously injured his knee.

Ambassadors continued their winning ways by defeating Bullets by 10 points while 33 points to Adrian Masters handed Bearded Dragons a 50-point thumping of the Raiders under-18 development squad.

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