Tigers hold off Wolves to remain unbeaten

Tigers maintained their perfect record in the Albany Basketball Association men’s A-grade competition after overcoming a gallant Wolves outfit by five points in round 7 on Tuesday night.

The first half was a terrific contest as both sides shot consistently from long range with contrasting fortunes, with Wolves struggling to find their groove through John Murray and Matt Leary, while Ben Polette and John Santia at the other end had much more success.

Matt Goodall landed Wolves’ second triple of the night to make it two from 10 three-point attempts, and Goodall was again in the action when he scored a lay-up in the dying moments to get his side within eight points at half-time.

The tempo lifted considerably in the second half as Wolves dragged themselves back into the contest on the back of young gun Leary.

Leary added a field goal and then two long-range bombs to level the scores but the Tigers fought back to re-take the lead.

The scores were again locked at 42-all when Murray found the bottom of the net from close range, only for Tigers veteran Tim Button to fire straight back.

Tigers’ Dean Gliosca then stepped up to score his first points of the night and his three-point effort would prove a dagger in the Wolves’ hopes as Tigers led by five points late in the piece.

Santia then produced his own moment for the highlight reel, with a swift steal and assist to Corey Hitchcock that put the result beyond doubt.

All nine Tigers players scored in the 52-47 win as their depth was again on display but Santia (11) and big man Corey Hill (9) did the most damage, while Polette’s two early bombs also proved crucial.

Wolves shot poorly from three-point range, which proved costly, but Leary (14), Murray (13) and Goodall (11) showed enough to suggest their side could match it with anyone in the competition.

Tigers were clinical from long range in their sixth straight victory, with seven of 14 three-point attempts successful, and shooting at 41 per cent from the free throw line in comparison to the Wolves, who hit five of 21 from outside.

Ambassadors caused an upset against Raiders’ under-18 development squad, beating them 43-36 on the back of 14 points from Jackson Pitman, while Crabs notched their first win of the season after holding off Dugites, 41-39.