Westridge Warriors put their losing run to a halt, defeat unbeaten ladder leaders

BASKETBALL: The Westridge Warriors have cause the boilover of the Toowoomba Basketball League season to date, ending the winning streak of the Eels in the process.

David Werth looks for options for Westridge Fruit and Veg Warriors against Southern Cross Bricklaying Eels in Toowoomba Basketball League round six at Clive Berghofer Arena, Monday, November 30, 2020. Picture: Kevin Farmer

BASKETBALL: The Westridge Warriors have cause the boilover of the Toowoomba Basketball League season to date, ending the winning streak of the Eels in the process.

Despite missing Josh Allen, the Southern Cross Bricklaying Eels came into the round six contest at Clive Berghofer Arena as hot favourites on the back of five wins to start the season.

The ladder leaders looked to be cruising throughout the early stages of the contest, taking a 32-14 at the end of the first term on the back of 17 points from Manylok Malek.

A 12-3 run to start the second helped the Warriors cut the lead back to seven at halftime, before taking a two-point lead into the final term.

A David Werth triple stretched the advantage to eight just seconds into the fourth, before the Eels fought back to tie things up at 80-all with 1:45 remaining.

James Lymer hit a free throw, before David Werth’s late bucket was enough to seal the upset victory.

Coach Ash Peters praised the way his side was able to fight their way back into the contest.

“It was a big effort and it was about sticking to the game plan,” Peters said.

“Mayo got hot early but we stuck to the plan. He was hot from three, but we trusted the percentages and they’re a team that has a pretty poor three-point percentage, so we kept our heads high.

“We definitely grew in confidence as the game went on. We were taking good looks that weren’t falling, but they started to hit and the momentum swung from there.

“Players like David Werth and Syd Hume ha good games, and Thon (Angui) had some good dunks.”

Hume led the way for the Warriors with 26 while Werth had 12, with Malek’s 39 wasn’t enough for the Eels.

The victory ends a run of four-straight defeats for the Warriors, and Werth hopes it can switch their fortunes around.

“I think it does turn things around,” he said.

“We were a bit unlucky in some of those losses but just didn’t get over the line.

“Hopefully this can give us a bit of momentum going forward and we can put a few wins together.”

The Washed On James Mustangs moved to within one win of top spot after downing the Pump Panthers 96-70.

Making light work of a departed JaKobe Hunter and with no Joseph Johnson, a dominant third quarter set the victory up for the Mustangs.

They outscored their rivals 31-16 and went on with the job to take their record to 4-2 for the season.

Will Mitchell (23 points), Isaac Wormald (21), Trevor Grieve (17) and Zephyr Parker (14) all played big roles in a balanced scoring attack.

STANDINGS

1. Eels (5-1, 121%)

2. Mustangs (4-2, 114%)

3. Warriors (2-4, 93%)

4. Panthers (1-5, 82%)

Originally published as Westridge Warriors put their losing run to a halt, defeat unbeaten ladder leaders