Dominant second half blows Power away after early scare Heat find their feet
TOWNSVILLE Heat coach Rod Anderson has reminded the defending Queensland Basketball League champions to expect teams to bring their best shot every week after his side recovered from a sluggish start against Gladstone on Friday night.
The Power threatened an upset against the hosts before the Heat unleashed a 61- 29 second half to win 102- 71, improve their record to 9- 2 and solidify third spot.
Townsville finished with six players in double figures, but Anderson said it was a more focused defensive mindset in the second half that got the job done.
“We gave up 27 points in the first quarter but only 44 for the rest of the game,” Anderson said.
“We need to start better, but we’re capable of being really good defensively if we actually try to be.
“We weren’t ready to go out there and be killers, but everybody is coming in here to give us their best shot as reigning champions.
“The quicker we figure that out and bring our best right from the beginning, the to be.”
Anderson said the bench, led by Keegan Tudehope ( 15 points) and Jarrad Figg ( six points, two assists, two steals), provided the energy they needed after they trailed 27- 21 at quarter- time.
“Our bench effort was brilliant,” he said.
“Keegan Tudehope ( 15 points) was very good, Jarrad Figg gave us energy when we needed it, Brendon McCully was really good with his defensive efforts, and Matt Rees and Jackson Todd just do their roles.
“Before I even got into the change rooms ( at halftime) the guys were already talking about the stuff I was going to bring up anyway.
“We’ve got a saying that a playercoached team is better than a coach- coached team.
“If they’re the ones holding each other accountable, it gets through a bit better.”
Peter Crawford top scored with 20 points for the Heat, while Jordair Jett put together a strong all- round game with 13 points, seven rebounds and six assists.
The Heat’s comeback performance came after the Flames maintained their strong form in the women’s QBL with a 104- 68 win over their Gladstone opponents. better we’re going