Pioneers Men secure second spot

THE play-offs seem all but gone now after the OneFortyOne Pioneers Women suffered a 20 point home court loss to the Diamond Valley Eagles.

It was always going to be tough against a team determined to cement its top four credentials and without their own key personnel including Haliegh Reinoehl, Jayda Jansen and Zoe Hurley.

It started full of promise for the home side in a seesawing opening quarter with the Pioneers taking a 21-10 into the first break.

The Eagles were quick to respond in the second and worked their way to a game high 22 points before the final 80-60 margin at the final whistle.

The loss sees the Pioneers slip further from playoff contention having lost three straight with a 6-11 record.

Cat MacGregor led the way, top scoring with 18 points and three rebounds with 4/7 three-point shooting, while Isa Brancatisano added 15 points, 13 rebounds, nine assists and three steals, Chloe Hildebrand 11 points, two boards and two assists, and Keryl Ousey eight points and four rebounds.

The news was much better for the Castec Rural Supplies Mount Gambier Pioneers Men, consolidating second position on the NBL1 South standings with a 96-76 victory over the Eagles.

Titus Robinson and Kaden Archie combined for 54 points in a home court victory that has helped hold the Melbourne Tigers, Casey Cavaliers, Hobart Chargers and Ballarat Miners at bay as the battle for the top four really heats up.

It was a four point lead at the first change for the Pioneers and that only extended to six at the main break – hitting three from 15 from beyond the arc doing little to advance the scoreboard for the home side.

The Pioneers were able to take control throughout the second half with 26 points to 16 in the third period to open up a 16-point lead before extending that to 26 in the last term on the way to the eventual 20-point victory.

The Pioneers improved their shooting to 50 per cent from the floor by the final whistle, while some work needs to be done on conversion from the charity stripe as the business end of the season approaches.

The hustle from the Pioneers was outstanding, creating 20 turnovers with their relentless defensive pressure

Archie delivered 27 points and five rebounds in the win with 11/18 shooting from the floor with Robinson contributing 27 points, nine boards, three steals, three blocks and two assists on 13/17 field goal shooting.

Joe Palmer added 15 points and nine rebounds, Austin Shelley six points, five boards, three assists and two steals, and Kane de Wit three points, 13 assists, 10 rebounds and five steals.

RESULTS:

WOMEN:

Diamond Valley Eagles 80 (Watkins 23, Reid 20, Ellis 19) d Mount Gambier Pioneers 60 (MacGregor 18, Brancatisano 15, Hildebrand 11)

MEN:

Mount Gambier Pioneers 96 (Robinson 27, Archie 27, Palmer 15) d Diamond Valley Eagles 76 (Perry 17, Ghee 15, Thoseby 15)