Basketball: Bombers score first win

The Bombers had their first win of the season, beating the Falcons 79-66, in the third round of men's A grade at the Edgar Centre on Saturday.

The Bombers came out firing in the first quarter with eight unanswered points to start the game.

The Falcons woke up and bounced back into the game and had a seven-point lead by the end of the first quarter.

The Bombers tied the game 40-all at halftime and the match could have gone either way.

Both teams played hard for possession and the lead.

The Falcons slipped in composure near the end of the third quarter, which was the turning point of the game as the Bombers took full control.

NBL Southland Sharks player Oliver Smith, returning to play a game for the Bombers, blew the game apart, shooting 10 points at the end of the third quarter and continued his hot streak through the fourth quarter, with 22 points for the entire game.

Smith said he was happy to be back playing club basketball as he is not getting much game time for the Southland Sharks.

"It is nice to have a run around in a game situation. I'm on the bench for the Sharks,'' he said.

Smith said he moved away so he could keep playing competitive basketball, as Otago no longer has a team in the NBL.

"Of course, I'd love to play for the Otago Nuggets as it's my home town, but I wouldn't hold my breath on the team returning .''

The Falcons' top point-scorer was captain Chris Hood with 13 points.

Falcons player Fraser Beck had a smooth game, setting up plays and got himself six points.

Beck was buzzing to be back on the court after missing three years of game time due to injuries.

He said the game was easily winnable and it just came down to a couple of meltdowns from his side.

"They got up by five or six points and we gave away silly turnovers due to a couple of brain explosions.''

It was a tough battle inside the key, both teams fought for every ball and collected five team fouls in every quarter.

In the other games Magic beat Varsity A 101-90 and St Kilda Saints beat Varsity A2 89-53.

- Henry MacMullan 

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