It could have been double delight, or it could have been double disaster, but in the end, the Hoop City Geelong United Supercats split their Round 12 NBL1 South men’s home-road double to remain in ninth position and in the finals hunt with a 9-9 win-loss record after two contrasting one-point results.
After the disappointment of a 72-71 loss to Melbourne Tigers at Geelong Arena after a game-winning three-point attempt from George Blagojevic failed to connect on Friday night, a Matt McCarthy blocked shot ensured Geelong United returned from Frankston with their ninth victory of the season after claiming an overtime decision 98-97.
McCarthy ensured the game went to overtime with a strong move to the basket that tied the scores in regulation.
“McCarthy was great; he really was very good,” coach Grant Wallace said.
“Gabe (Hadley) was very good on Saturday night. They were doubling him and George (Blagojevic) at every chance – every on-ball screen.
“Ma’alo (Hicks) gave us some quality minutes, and I thought Liam Herbert was just outstanding.
“He made a three down the stretch to put us in front with a minute or so to play.”
NBL1 WOMEN – NOW FOR THE DOUBLE CHANCE
However, it was DeMarcus Gatlin who Wallace reserved special praise for.
After being held to just two points against Melbourne Tigers, the captain finished with a game-high 31 points, including going 7-12 from outside the arc, while also tallying 10 rebounds, six assists and four steals.
“It was a win of great character, and it was led by DeMarcus,” Coach Wallace said.
“He was just outstanding – defensively and, obviously, with his scoring.”
Hadley finished with 24 points, nine rebounds and four assists against Frankston to go with 25 points against the Tigers.
McCarthy had 12 points and 10 rebounds against the Blues to follow 12 points on Friday night.
Blagojevic started the weekend with 16 points, 12 rebounds and a knock to the head and finished it with 12 points, eight rebounds and five assists.
Herbert knocked down four of his six three-point attempts against Frankston to finish with a crucial 12 points.
Geelong United now turns its attention to another double-header, with a trip to Ringwood (17th, 6-13) on Friday night, followed by a home meeting with Ballarat (10th, 9-10) on Saturday evening.
Anything less than two wins will almost certainly draw the curtains on the Supercats’ playoff hopes.
Tickets for Saturday night’s NAIDOC Week/First Nations Round matchup with the Miners are selling fast at bit.ly/3JspNN5
The night also doubles at the inaugural battle for the Mark Leader Shield, where the aggregate scores from the women’s and men’s games between the two clubs will be calculated to determine the winner.
