By Tara Murray
It was a tough night for Kyneton Tigers’ two sides in the Country Basketball League on Saturday night against the Bendigo Braves.
In the north east women’s competition, the Tigers pushed the undefeated Braves all the way.
Missing their leading scorer Rebecca Van Kuyk, the Tigers were not daunted by the challenge ahead of them.
The two teams traded the lead early on, with the Braves leading by four points at quarter-time.
For most of the second quarter the Braves had the initiative, but the Tigers didn’t let them get too far ahead.
The Tigers kept themselves in the game and a three-pointer to Adrienne Cameron put them in front just before half-time.
The two teams traded the lead throughout the third quarter but the Tigers held a slim three-point lead heading into the final break.
The game went down to the wire, with scores level with less than two minutes remaining when the Braves took back the lead, winning 86-83.
Michelle Fletcher top scored for the Tigers with 20 points, while the three Mangan sisters, Brooke, Rachelle and Jess, all scored double figures.
The loss is just the Tigers second for the season.
In the north west men’s competition, the Tigers returned to the court after two weekends without games.
Like the women’s game, the Tigers pushed the Braves all the way with just three points separating the teams with five minutes remaining.
It was an even start to the match, before the Braves stepped it up in the second and third quarters.
The margin got out to as much as 17 points in favour of the Braves.
The Tigers hit back and wound the margin back to three points at the last break, but the comeback took it out of the Tigers and they eventually lost 83-71.
Matt Quinn top scored with 21 points.
The loss leaves the Tigers still on one win.
MORE CBL NEWS
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/bacchus-lions-take-pride-in-win/
