Men bundled out in straight sets

Having played their way into top position on the NBL1 South, the Castec Rural Supplies Mount Gambier Pioneers men have been bundled out of championship contention in straight sets, their season ended by the Eltham Wildcats in an 82-91 home court defeat.

South East Melbourne Phoenix’s Owen Foxwell was the star for the Wildcats, putting up 35 points, five assists and four rebounds with 4/7 three-point shooting and with 11/13 free-throw shooting.

His 35 point game was matched by hometown hero Nick Marshall, who also finished with 11 rebounds and three assists on 13/24 shooting from the floor.

Akech Aliir finished with 12 points, seven rebounds and three blocked shots with Titus Robinson contributing 11 points and three boards, and Dylan Marshall seven points and three assists.

The Pioneers had finished the regular season two games clear in top spot with a 17-5 record but consecutive losses to the Sandringham Sabres and then the Wildcats ended their push for another title.

Strangely, the Pioneers men actually had a perfect road record in the 2024 season but had only split their home games heading into Saturday night’s knockout semi final.

Eltham then put the pressure on that shaky home record by opening up a 10-point lead in the first quarter were still six points clear at the first change.

That lead was seven at the half and at three quarter time the Wildcats were five points clear in a game that had been an arm wrestle all night and, in the end, despite the best efforts of the 1200 strong crowd, the Wildcats took the win 91-82.

Foxwell was the star and was well supported by his Phoenix team mate Angus Glover who knocked down 4/9 from downtown for 22 points to go with eight rebounds with Ralph Bissainthe adding 10 points and four boards, and Sam Short 10 points and four rebounds.

RESULTS

Eltham Wildcats 91 (Foxwell 35, Glover 22, Bissainthe 10, Short 10) d Mount Gambier Pioneers 82 (N Marshall 35, Aliir 12, Robinson 11)