PLAYOFF HOPES HANG BY THREAD
Final quarter fade costly
BASKETBALL:
Another tough first quarter has left the Toowoomba Mountaineers playoff hopes hanging in the balance, after going down to Rockhampton 100-87 on Saturday night.
The visitors led by two heading into the final term, but were outscored 33-18, leaving the Mountaineers in ninth spot approaching the business end of the season.
Coach Danny Morseu, while disappointed with the defeat, commended his players for performing so well on the road.
“We lost momentum after the start and struggled, basically we tried to play catch-up basketball,” Morseu said.
“It wasn’t until the third quarter that we came back at them and took the lead a few times.
“Towards end of the game we thought we would win it. But we made some crucial errors and turnovers at bad times. They capitalised on them and that’s how they won the game.
“I thought we played well. They had a few big players come off the bench that did the damage against us.
“Hayden Richardson really made some big contributions for them.
“We actually gave them the game. As soon as Josh (Derksen) fouled out, that really hurt us. Josh got into foul trouble early and it made it difficult early.
“One of the contributors was Joel Seaby. Big Will Mitchell couldn’t come because of work commitments, and Joel did a good job for us.
“He shot well from the floor and brought in some big rebounds for us.”
Seaby finished with eight points and nine rebounds, while Damon Bozeman again played a starring role with 38 points and 18 rebounds, as the team looks forward to a crucial clash against Logan at home this weekend.
“Damon did a great job for us as captain, he’s a true leader of the team,” he said.
“We need to forget about this and focus on Logan coming here and start preparing for them and what we’re going to run.”
The Mountaineers women showed positive signs despite a 103-60 defeat to Rockhampton.
Rising talents Jasmine Gardner (12 points, three rebounds, two steals) and Morgan Prentice (16 points, four rebounds and three steals) contributed strongly.
Import Donnaizha Fountain had another double-double, finishing with 20 points and 10 rebounds.