The 0-4 start to the 2023 NBL1 South season is now a distant memory for the Hoop City Geelong United Supercats men after claiming a sixth-straight win with a 90-82 victory over Nunawading at Geelong Arena on Saturday night.
Leading by five points at halftime, United, again without big man George Blagojevic (ankle), dominated the third quarter, outscoring the Spectres 24-11 to make the margin 18.
That got out to as much as 27 points when Ma’alo Hicks made a layup with 6:07 remaining in the final term.
However, United wouldn’t score again, with a 19-0 run by the visitors to end the contest adding some respectability to the scoreline.
NBL1 South leading scorer Gabe Hadley passed 30 points in consecutive games as he poured in 33 on 52 per cent shooting, which included going 6-12 from beyond the arc.
Captain DeMarcus Gatlin played a solid supporting role with 19 points, five assists, four rebounds and two steals, while Liam Herbert produced a career-high 18 points.
Veteran big Ma’alo Hicks’ numbers were also solid, with eight points, 12 rebounds, three assists and three steals.
Despite the win, United (6-4) dropped to eighth spot. However, they have two games in hand on third-placed Knox (8-4).
United will have the first of its four return matchups for the season on Saturday night when it travels to Bendigo to take on the Braves.
Bendigo had the better of the Supercats in Round 2 but sit 17th on the ladder with a 3-7 record.
