Shooters miss target

GEELONG Supercats coach Leon O’Neill says his team “threw away” its top-four chance with a disappointing loss at home to the Bendigo Braves on Saturday night.

A poor shooting performance cost the Supercats dearly, succumbing to the Bendigo Braves 67-84 at The Arena.

In front of a sold-out crowd, the home team had a decent start to the game.

Despite the visiting Braves edging an early lead, Geelong matched Bendigo point for point in a tight contest for the first two quarters.

Bendigo went into the main break with a seven-point lead, but a slow start to the third quarter for Geelong set the tone for the remainder of the game.

Shooting at only 34 per cent from the field and 50 per cent from the free-throw line for the game, Geelong failed to capitalise on offensive opportunities.

Defensively the Supercats were unable to contain Bendigo’s Mathiang Muo and Ray Turner, who finished with 30 and 20 points.

DeMarcus Gatlin led the way for Geelong, finishing with 20 points and seven rebounds, while Lewis Thomas contributed 15 points to go with seven rebounds.

O’Neill expressed his disappointment at the output of his team.

“We had our destiny in our own hands and we threw it away,” he said.

“When you miss that many free throws, you’re not going to win games — 67 points is not going to get it done.

“After half-time we just really struggled to find a way to put the ball in the hole. Disappointing is the best way to describe it.”

Celebrating the NBL1 indigenous round, Saturday night’s game began with a Welcome to Country from traditional owners of the Wathaurong land.

The Supercats’ team wore a Nathan Patterson-designed indigenous playing uniform.

The Supercats now have to play an elimination final.