CBC rally to break Saints’ unbeaten start to KBBA men’s campaign

CBC reaped the benefits of a powerful start to inflict Saints’ first defeat of the season last Friday night, 100-85, that has breathed new life into the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Basketball Association’s men’s division one competition.

Saints headed into the clash on a seven-game winning run, with an average victory margin of 16 points.

But following a close call against the same rivals by three points in round five, Saints were outgunned in three of the four quarters.

Key to CBC’s sixth victory was a 26-16 start.

Saints shaded the second term, 24-21, but dropped each of the next two as CBC edged to within two points of first place.

Despite being in the twilight of his career, Miles Tierney continues to be a valuable contributor for CBC — as a consistent offensive threat and mentoring the squad’s young players.

Against Saints, Tierney racked-up a team-high 30 points, complemented by Dyson Sumsion (27), Sam Morrow (17), and Flynn Baroni (10).

It was a season-best display from Tierney while Morrow leads all players in the division with 202 points.

Morrow’s big first half to the season included a 55-point haul in a losing effort against Saints in round five.

Hamish Cummings and Jordan Clements led Saints with 31 points and 25 points, respectively.

With just one game between Saints and CBC for first place, it continues a keen rivalry between the squads.

Saints are this season chasing back-to-back flags after they upset CBC, 98-93, in the 2023-24 grand final.

CBC were favourites with four more wins during the qualifiers.

The round began last Thursday night when Franchise edged out Olympians, 81-76.

It was just Franchise’s second win of the season, but allowed them to assume outright third place after Olympians burst out of the blocks with a 29-21 first quarter.

But they couldn’t sustain the work rate as Franchise swept each of the next three terms.

Jerome Reid enjoyed a game-high 27 points for Franchise, backed by a combined 30 points from Nick Lawrence and Krish Patel.

Nick Shaw and Felipe Arismendi each had 21 points for Olympians, whose lone victory was against Franchise in round two.

The second-last round before the Christmas break starts this Thursday when CBC play Franchise at 7.15pm while Saints meet Olympians on Friday night at 7.30pm.

Last Friday night in the women’s first division, CBC were foiled in pursuit of their first win in a 61-58 loss to Saints.

CBC won the second half, but they paid the price for a slow start when Saints built a half-time lead of 17 points.

Saints, who evened their win-loss record at 3-3, were led by Elena Scafidi’s game-high 26 points and 19 points from teammate Chloe Zorzi.

Tamsyn Pentland scored 19 points for CBC from Millie James (16) and Chloe McComish (14).

CBC play Olympians at 6.15pm on Friday night.

Ladders:

Men’s division 1:

Saints 22 points; CBC 20; Franchise 12; Olympians 10.

Women’s division 1:

Olympians 15 points; Saints 12; CBC 5.