The Final Score - Round 4

NBL1 Women
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Eltham Wildcats 88 def Hobart Chargers 75
Top Performers: L. Scanlon 25 points, R. Pizzey 21 points, T. Heal 15 points

Despite spending the majority of the day travelling to Tasmania the Wildcats didn't miss a beat early with R.Pizzey opening the scoring followed by back-to-back three pointers by S.Britten & L. Scanlon giving the Eltham an early lead over the Chargers. The Wildcats would start the second quarter with a 7 point lead and would find themselves in trouble as Hobart not only got back in the game but took a 7 point lead of their own with 3 minutes to play. The quality of the Wildcats was on full display as they quickly cut that lead to only 2 points before the end of the quarter going into the main break down 36-38.

The third period went back and fourth with both teams putting together consecutive offensive scores but it was the Wildcats who finished the quarter with a 8-1 run setting up an 8 point lead heading into the final quarter. 

Eltham pushed the lead to 10 points early in the last quarter and from there the brilliance of the Wildcats took over as the Chargers were unable to cut into the lead securing yet another Eltham win. 

Head Coach Grant Spencer praised his teams efforts despite the challenging weekend.

"Strong performance from the group over the weekend. We didn't have it all our way so it showed the maturity and resilience of the team beyond our years to fight against two quality teams."

NBL1 Men
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Eltham Wildcats 72 def by Hobart Chargers 74
Top Performers: A. Doyle 19 points, J. Aver 14 points, O. Magbegor 11 points/12 rebounds

Eltham struggled early in this one. Unable to execute on the offensive end the Wildcats seemed a step or two slower than the home team as the Chargers won the opening quarter 25-14. 

The Wildcats battled their way back into the game winning the next three quarters out of shear guts and determination. Eltham were down by 11 points with only 4 minutes to go in the game as it appeared to be an easy runaway win for Hobart. A. Doyle simply put the team on his back scoring the next 10 consecutive points for Eltham setting up an epic final sequence as S. Whelan hit a huge pull up 3 point shot to tie the game at 72-72 with 14 seconds remaining in the game. The Chargers called a timeout and designed a play that was run to perfection with J. Mines cutting to the basket for tough two point basket. 

Eltham called a timeout, set a play with only 10 seconds remaining. O. Magbegor rebounded a missed two point shot then forced a foul sending Magbegor to the line to tie the game.

The atmosphere was intense as the crowd were screaming in an attempt to disrupt the free throws. Magbegor missed the first, purposely missed the second to try and get another shot but the Wildcats were unable to get a one off to tie or win the game. 

NBL1 Women
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Eltham Wildcats 86 def Launceston Tornadoes 73
Top Performers: A. Maley 19 points/18 rebounds, R. Pizzey 23 points, T. Heal 17 points, 

The Eltham Wildcats remain undefeated after a 13 point win over Launceston on Saturday night. Playing a player down and coming off a game the night before the Wildcats were up against it and it showed in the first half as Launceston went into halftime with an 8 point lead. 

Once again the brilliance of the Wildcats was on full display as they battled their way back into the game winning the third quarter 22-18 then annihilated the Tornadoes in the last period 23-6 behind elite defence and finishing. 

The Wildcats are currently on top of the NBL1 South ladder with a 5-0 record.

NBL1 Men
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Eltham Wildcats 69 def by North West Thunder 87
Top Performers: A. Doyle 26 points, J.. Aver 12 points, S. Whelan 11 points 

Eltham played an exciting brand of basketball in the first half as they executed their offence and locked down on the defensive end going into the halftime break with a 3 point lead.

Led by J. Chilcott (18 points) the Thunder got off the chain the third period as they took momentum and control of the game outscoring Eltham 28-17 in the quarter. The Wildcats ran out of gas as they couldn't convert on shots while North West picked apart Eltham's defence closing out the game.

Eltham head to Bendigo on Saturday night to take on the Braves (Women 6pm / Men 8pm) then back it up on Sunday against the Sandginham Sabres at Eltham High School. Women tip off at 12pm, Men at 3pm. Tickets on sale now, click here to purchase tickets.