Red-hot Roberts sees Stirling defeat Giants
The ATD Stirling Senators fought off a spirited revival from Skilled Goldfields Giants for a 103-92 win at Warwick Leisure Centre.
Lee Roberts was outstanding for the Senators with 27 points and 19 rebounds, well supported by Michael Jones (27 points and nine rebounds) and Geordie Cullen with 12 points off the bench.
For the Giants it was Captain Matthew Leske leading from the front with 22 points and Darnell Dialls worked hard all evening for 21 points and 12 rebounds until he was fouled out in the last quarter.
Both sides were desperate to break three-game losing streaks and stay in touch with the top eight, and it was the visitors that took an early lead.
Roberts had the upper hand in his duel with Goldfields’ big-man Dialls as the Senators scored nine consecutive points to open up a seven-point lead midway through the opening term.
The 203cm Roberts had double-double by quarter-time with 11 points and 10 rebounds as Stirling took a 24-15 lead into the break.
The Giants were beginning to make comeback in the second term, but were halted as Jones was unstoppable from the three-point line.
Tensions rose on court after a heated exchange between Geordie Cullen and Dwayne Radcliffe which could be looked at closely during the week.
A thrilling buzzer-beater from Dialls bridged the gap to just five-points at half-time and brought the crowd to its feet.
The third quarter was an arm wrestle with neither side making their mark until a three-pointer from Leske followed by a free-throw got his side within three points, the closest they had been since the opening term.
The Giants’ hopes of a come-from-behind victory took a massive blow as Stirling flexed their muscles, scoring 14 straight points on their way to a commanding 81-66 lead at the final change.
The visitors fought hard in the last quarter to get as close as six points, but it was too little too late as Stirling posted a nine-point win.
The Senators are now back in the top eight following their 10th win of the season, while Goldfields’ slid down to 10th place.
Article by Jordan McArdle at Warwick Recreation Centre
Photo by Marg Prior
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