Posted on 21 June, 2017

Dillon and Ursich dominated down the stretch, combining to score the final nine points for Kilsyth as they recorded a vital win over Sandringham, one which helped the Cobras close in on the Sabres in the East Conference playoff race. Dillon was in complete control throughout, manipulating the Sabres defence and making big play after big play late to help the Cobras pull away.

Leading, 75-74 with just over six minutes remaining, Dillon threw a beautiful pass the length of the floor to set up Chris Patton for a dunk, and after a Sabres basket, Patton scored again on the ensuing possession to keep the Cobras lead at three points. Back-to-back scores from Sandringham would give them a one point lead, but Dillon then took over, draining a pair of free throws, then setting up Patton and Ursich for wide open jumpshots, before draining a short-corner jumper of his own to put the Cobras back on top, 87-84 with two minutes remaining.

Sabres veteran Nathan Crosswell countered with a layup inside, but with 30 seconds remaining, Ursich responded with the play of the game to bury the Sabres for good. After Dillon misfired on a fadeaway jumpshot, Ursich flew in from the right side, rising above the rim to tip in the miss to give the Cobras a three point lead they would not relinquish. Ursich then put the finishing touches on the win, throwing down an emphatic dunk as time expired to punctuate a spectacular bounce-back performance by the Cobras.

Cobras Head Coach Justin Schueller was happy with his team’s entertaining performance and the contributions he received from his entire roster throughout the game.

“It was a great game from start to end, one the fans would have enjoyed for sure,” Schueller said.

“The guys executed the plan really well and to have an impact from so many players was pleasing.”

Dillon led the Cobras with a game-high 26 points and eight assists, Patton added an efficient 18 points and eight rebounds, Auryn Macmillan had one of his best games of the season with 16 points, nine rebounds and three assists, while fellow starter Owen Odigie made a significant impact across the board, finishing with eight points, eight rebounds, five assists and three steals in the win. Ursich scored all six of his points in crunch time, while Kieran Murphy added seven on 3-4 shooting to headline a solid performance by the Cobras reserves.

Despite the pair practicing just once with the team prior to Saturday night’s game, Schueller was impressed with the immediate impact both Dillon and Ursich had, with Dillon in particular showing that he is capable of handling the Cobras playmaking duties for the rest of the season.

“The impact of Daniel was obviously huge, from his first assist he really led from the front and the rest of the guys followed,” Schueller said.

“He is a real talent and someone who can lead us in where we want to go.”

“It was a collective effort which is the best part; everyone contributed and Ben Ursich in his first game came up big down the stretch for us.”

The win boosts the Cobras record to 6-10, closing them to within one game of fifth placed Sandringham in the East Conference. Albury-Wodonga currently own the fourth and final playoff position in the East with a three game cushion, but with two games against the Bandits upcoming, the Cobras have a chance to further close the gap over the upcoming weeks. And after Saturday’s spectacular bounce-back performance, Schueller has his Men re-focused and ready to make a run with a home heavy schedule to come.

“We have an internal challenge right now and the guys are locked in; we just need to keep building on this performance now,” Schueller said.

The Cobras head to the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre on Saturday night to take on the Melbourne Tigers at 7.30pm. They’ll return home on July 2 to tip-off a favourable run home, which sees them play five of their final seven games on Hugh McMenamin Court.

Catch some of Dan Dillon’s top plays from his season debut below: