Eastern men have held on for a stunning victory over reigning premiers Sturt on Saturday night at Pasadena.

Led by Eastern’s playing Coach Brad Hill who shot a league season high 39 points the visitors held on to claim a 2 point victory in the Men’s match at Pasadena Sports Centre on Saturday night. Final scores 95 – 93. The result gave Hill his first win in only his second game since being appointed the senior coach of the Men’s team.  In a thrilling encounter where there were 19 lead changes throughout the contest and scores were locked on eight occasions, Eastern held on to claim the meritorious win, downing the reigning premiers in front of a group of loyal supporters.

The make-up of both teams was not clear until game started on Saturday night. There was a suggestion that Adelaide 36er players Jacob Holmes and Darren Ng would not suit for the Sabres this week with their NBL commitments having just concluded.  Ng is also recovering from an injury sustained with the 36ers. For the Mavericks, NBL Rookie of the year Ben Madgen was expected to play his first match this season after being released by the Sydney Kings.

When the game started Holmes joined the Sabres team for his first game this season after being a member of the victorious 2010 team. Darren Ng was on the bench in his street clothes, believed to be still recovering from injury. Ben Madgen returned to Adelaide but was ruled out with an injury sustained whilst playing with the Kings and is not expected to be available until Round 5, missing the double header weekend next round.

The Men’s game opened at a fast and furious pace with both sides loaded with talent and NBL experienced players. Holmes scored the first basket for the home team in the first 40 seconds of play after Aaron Bruce for the visitors failed to connect on his first two shots. It was left to Eastern’s big man Shane Breheny who was left wide open at the top of key to hit from downtown with a huge three pointer to open the scoring for his team. Both teams traded baskets during the first quarter in a high scoring and high standard game. By the end of the first period Eastern led by the slenderest of margins 22 – 21 compiled with an even spread of scorers. Hill led the way with 6 points and Bruce and Breheny on 5 points each.

By half time the scores were locked at 45 points all, Holmes leading the scoring for the Sabres with 10 points and Hill with 15 points the game high scorer to that point. Breheny was not far behind with 12 points, which included two 3 pointers.  Sabres and Adelaide 36er team member Tom Daly finished the half with 7 points and looked capable of racking up a big score.

By the end of the third quarter Eastern had opened up a three point buffer after leading by as much as 7 points at the midpoint of the quarter after an Aaron Bruce basket in traffic.  Eastern kept the scoreboard ticking over during this quarter with two three bombs to Brad Hill, a singles to Shane Breheny and another to Cameron Myles late in the quarter.

At the three quarter time break it was difficult to predict the winner although the Mavericks had held the lead for the majority of the contest. Both sides exchanged baskets in the opening minutes of the final term until converted foul shots by Breheny, Hill and a basket to Bruce with less than 6 minutes to play saw Eastern push the lead out to 8 points, the biggest of the night, 82 – 74.

In the next couple of minutes of play Sturt went on a mini run scoring 12 points to hit the front 86 – 84 after a Holmes basket in heavy traffic from the keyway. Jack Madgen for visitors then scored the next basket to tie the scores 86-86 for the eighth time in the encounter.

With just two and half minutes remaining Hill scored from inside the paint to wrest back the lead. Shortly after Bruce caused a turnover stealing the ball at mid court, converted a breakaway layup easing Eastern 4 points clear 90 – 86.

As the clock wound down, both sides continued to score. A Mark Bauer three point basket for Sturt with just 18 seconds remaining closed the margin to just 1 point, Eastern holding on 94-93. When play resumed Eastern looked to run the clock down but with only 9 seconds remaining Holmes fouled Hill in possession to stop the clock. With the Sabres over the limit Hill was awarded two free throws. He converted 1 of the two leaving Sturt an opportunity to steal the game or to at least force overtime. In the frantic last seconds the Sabres launched a three point prayer from the top of the key, the shot ricocheting off the rim, Sturt grabbing the rebound and had a final opportunity to level the scores from inside keyway but the siren sounded before Sturt could land another basket.

This weekend the Mavericks have the home court advantage in a double header round of matches where they face the Norwood Flames on Saturday night and the Southern Tigers on Sunday afternoon. Both Norwood teams have won their opening two matches, their men sit top and the women are second on the premiership table.  Southern Women have split their two games whereas the Southern Men are yet to record a win. Game times at Adelaide Hills Recreation Centre Saturday, Women 6.30pm followed by the Men at 8.15pm. On Sunday the Women are 1.15pm and the Men scheduled at 3.00pm.

By David Tonks