An impressive defensive display has been vital to the Hoop City Geelong United Supercats Men opening their NBL1 South account.
Geelong United held the previously 5-1 Frankston to its lowest score of the season in a 79-73 victory at Geelong Arena.
The win marked coach Grant Wallace’s first in charge of United after four successive losses to start his tenure.
“I’m just relieved for the players,” Wallace said.
“We’ve been preaching defence all pre-season and not getting anywhere, giving up 90-plus points a game.
“To hold Frankston, who I would rate as one of the better teams in the competition, to 73 was the result of sticking to the task.
“It’s a credit to the players sticking to our scout,”
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Victory seemed all but assured when leading 77-69 with 49 seconds remaining.
However, the Blues weren’t going to let Geelong United cruise to the finish line, with Lucas Barker making the second of two free throws and a Jordan Evans three-pointer making for some hairy moments.
Brad Newley had an opportunity to cut the deficit to one with 14 seconds remaining.
However, Gabe Hadley was able to haul in the defensive rebound before Liam Herbert found himself in the open court for a layup to ice the contest.
After a quieter outing in the loss to Casey the previous week, Hadley was again a constant offensive threat, finishing with 21 points on 53 per cent shooting.
He also grabbed nine rebounds, dished three assists and had three steals.
George Blagojevic also dropped 21 points while hauling in 15 boards and adding three assists and steals to his stat line.
Ma’alo Hicks 27 minutes proved crucial as he scored 10 points on 100-per-cent shooting, and Liam Herbert provided nine points off the bench.
Returning captain DeMarcus Gatlin had seven points, six rebounds, three assists and three blocked shots in playing 35 minutes.
Geelong United next faces Mt Gambier at Geelong Arena on Saturday night in the Lifeline Game before travelling to Diamond Valley on Sunday.
Tickets for Saturday’s matchup with the Pioneers are on sale now via the link https://bit.ly/3JspNN5
