Casey downs the Pioneers

THE Casey Cavaliers came from behind to score the game’s last six points for a dramatic 84-81 road win over the Mount Gambier Pioneers in the NBL1 South women’s competition.

Back home at Wulanda Recreation and Convention Centre, the Pioneers women were looking to regain their early season momentum while the Cavs arrived trying to maintain their hold on a top four position.

The Pioneers opened up an eight-point lead in the opening term following a 10-0 run and then the home team were still on top 46-42 by half-time.

Casey took control in the third period with 22 points to 11 after going on a 12-0 scoring run but the swings continued and with 1.30 remaining it was the Pioneers leading by three.

The home team wouldn’t score again with a string of costly turnovers with the Cavaliers taking advantage with two free throws to Dallas Loughridge and then finishes going to the basket from Chelsea D’Angelo and Sam Bowman to secure the three-point win.

The Pioneers are now 6-6 having lost six of the past seven with Abby Prohaska finishing with 19 points, eight rebounds and two steals with Carla Pitman contributing 18 points and seven rebounds.

Lara Edmanson also had 14 points and eight rebounds, Tilly Boler 14 points, seven boards and three steals, and Grace Champion nine points, five rebounds and three steals.

The Pioneers Men also suffered defeat, going down to the Cavaliers 85-109 – Casey’s Tanner Krebs exploding for 44 points while Jesse Ghee adding 34 with the pair combining for 14 three-pointers.

It was a tight contest through the first half with Casey leaving by three at the first break and then Mount Gambier went into the main break up 50-47.

It was all the visitors from there, though, with 28 points to 15 in the third period and 34 to 20 in the fourth on the way to the 24-point win.

The Pioneers men are now 5-7 following the home loss with Alex Mudronja providing 21 points and three assists with Collin Moore adding 16 points, four rebounds and three assists, and Lucas Gordon 14 points, 14 boards and two blocked shots.