Posted on 19 June, 2018

Our VYC Cobras were back in action during Round 12 play on the weekend, with the Women grinding out a three point win over the Warrandyte Venom, while an incredible late comeback attempt by the Men fell just short as they lost to the McKinnon Cougars on the road.

Claire Knight’s Women put an end to a three-game losing streak with a gritty road win over the Venom, with a pair of clutch free throws by Lauren Bird securing a 53-50 win. After seeing an eight point lead dwindle to just one with 30 seconds remaining, Bird drew contact and drained a pair from the line to give Kilsyth a three point lead in the final seconds, and the Cobras get the game-clinching stop they needed to secure their eighth victory of the season.

Miranda Gartner led the way with a game-high 16 points to go along with seven rebounds, while Taylah Black added 15 points off the bench in the victory. The win moves the Cobras record to 8-8 on the season, pulling them into a tie with Melbourne for third place in the Watson Conference standings.

A frantic finish by Mark Landells’ Men was not enough on Saturday night, as the Cobras were plagued by a slow start to fall to McKinnon, 76-81. Trailing big for most of the evening, the Cobras found themselves down by 19 points with six minutes remaining before mounting an remarkable surge to make it a one possession game. The Cobras exploded for a 24-7 run, capped by Mitch Dielemans’ three-pointer which Kilsyth to within 76-78 with 46 seconds remaining. The Cobras locked in for a defensive stop on the ensuing possession, but a turnover by Jorden Adnam and a pair of unsportsmanlike fouls while trying to stop the clock late saw McKinnon ice the game from the foul line and deliver Kilsyth a crushing defeat.

Adnam and Dielemans led the Cobras with 17 points apiece, while Adnam added 12 rebounds, six assists and three steals in an impressive all-around performance. Will MacRae finished with 12 points and six rebounds, and Matt Dwyer chipped-in with 10 points and seven rebounds in the loss. With the loss, the Cobras record falls to 9-7 dropping them into a tie with Keilor for third in the Watson Conference Standings.

Both the VYC Men and Women are back in action at home on Saturday night, as they take on Sandringham and Waverley, respectively, as part of a special evening triple header. The NWBL Cobra Men tip-off proceedings at 3.30pm, followed by the VYC Women at 6pm and the Men at 8pm.