Tigers Skin Wildcats To Boost Title Hopes

The Age

Monday January 12, 2009

By NICK SHERIDAN, with AAP

MELBOURNE Tigers rekindled hopes of defending their National Basketball League title with a commanding 27-point win over the Perth Wildcats at the State Netball and Hockey Centre last night.

The reigning champions were looking to make a point as they kicked off a hectic 15-day, seven-game stretch with a top-two berth in their sights after an uninspiring start to the season.

While the Tigers led for most of the game, the Wildcats stayed in touch during the first three quarters, with strong shooting from Alex Loughton (21 points) and strong work under the ring from Paul Rogers (18) keeping them in the game.

The Wildcats cut the deficit to five points in the opening minutes of the final term, but then the Tigers kicked into overdrive, sealing the game with an unanswered run of 20 points.

Tommy Greer was an impressive presence on the court in his first match as one of the Tigers' starting five, but his aggressive attack on the ball cut both ways as he notched up four fouls in the first six minutes.

Greer was not the only Tiger to get into foul trouble. Skipper Chris Anstey was called for his fourth foul in the final minute of the half, risking further sanction by ripping his jersey in frustration as he walked off the court.

Star Tiger import Ebi Ere was on fire all night, hustling, stealing and dunking his way to a game-high 32 points.

South Dragons moved closer to clinching the NBL minor premiership while battlers Adelaide and Sydney are making genuine play-off runs.

The Dragons (18-6) moved closer to completing a remarkable last-to-first revival in 12months and consolidated top spot with a dramatic 115-112 overtime home victory over closest rival New Zealand (15-7). The result meant that Dragons coach Brian Goorjian avoided his first three-game losing streak in the regular season since December 2002.

New Zealand had its third straight defeat despite 32 points from Kirk Penney.

Adelaide (12-11) moved into fourth spot on percentage over Perth and Townsville after beating Wollongong and Cairns at home. Sydney Spirit (11-11) remained just outside the six with an 88-79 home victory over the Hawks. -- With AAP

© 2009 The Age

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