Lithgow Workies Lazers' recent good offensive form deserted them in the first half of their Spalding Waratah League Division One Basketball clash with the Shoalhaven Tigers in Bomaderry.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It made a welcome return for the second half, allowing them to go home with a narrow come-from-behind victory, 89-85.
The Tigers came out roaring, going out to a 13-3 lead after five minutes as nothing would drop for Lithgow's starting five of Michael Johnson, Darreon Tolliver, Michael Cox, Adam Marjoram and Fletcher Swift. The Lazers narrowed the gap but the home side still finished the quarter up 16-11.
Neither team was setting the world on fire offensively, with strong defence dominating. Lithgow's reserves, Matt Hughes, Kobe Hunter and Austyn Lincoln helped hold the Tigers to another 16 points in the second period, but the home side increased their lead to be in control at the half, 32-25.
READ MORE: Lithgow Lazers bring the heat at Wagga Wagga
The Lazers fought back to tie it up at 45-all late in the third period before the Tigers surged again. The visitors were finding the basket more freely, doubling their halftime score, but still trailed 56-50 entering the final stanza.
Shoalhaven opened the fourth quarter with five unanswered points to hold the largest margin of the game at 61-50 and appeared ready to run away with it. The Lazers slowly ate into the deficit, tying it up at 67-a-piece with just over five minutes left.
The score moved to 69-all and 71-all before a Johnson three-pointer saw the Lazers hit the front for the first time at 74-71. The Tigers responded to nose ahead 80-79 but the Lithgow side finished the better, holding off the desperate locals in the frantic final minutes to claim their fourth straight victory, 89-85.
Best for Shoalhaven were Alexander Brown with 21 points and Will Ozolins 20.
The Lazers play their final home game of the season this Saturday when they take on the strong Canberra Gunners Academy side at the Lazerdome. Tip-off is at 4 pm.
Result: Lithgow Lazers 89 (M Johnson 32, M Cox 19, D Tolliver 19, M Hughes 7, A Marjoram 7, F Swift 3, K Hunter 2) def Shoalhaven Tigers 85.
Pool A Standings: Sutherland 12 wins, 2 losses, Canberra 11-3, Illawarra 10-4, Shoalhaven 9-5, Lithgow 8-6, Bankstown 7-7, Queanbeyan 6-8, Wagga 4-10, Orange 2-12, Dubbo 1-13.
Raffle
The Lithgow Lazers are currently running a raffle to win tickets to the Australian Boomers taking on the USA Basketball side in Melbourne.
The prize includes two tickets to the game on Saturday, August 24 and a $200 travel voucher donated by MTA Travel.
Tickets are three for $10 and can be purchased from any senior Lazers player or Lithgow Association C/O Richard Marjoram by contacting on 63521635 or 0447491635.
The money will go towards the Lazers.
While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox from the Lithgow Mercury. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, sign up here.
