Too much of the heavy lifting was left to the Keilor Thunder imports in an 84-77 loss to Hume City Broncos in Big V basketball men’s state championship on Sunday.
The Thunder’s inability to get more people involved in offence cost it dearly at Keilor Basketball Stadium as imports Hanner Mosquera-Perea and Jordan Coleman shouldered most of the scoring load.
Mosquera-Perea produced his best scoring game as a Thunder player, racking up 27 points from an efficient 12-from-15 shooting. He also contributed seven rebounds, a block and a steal before fouling out.
Coleman fired in 22 points, but struggled from long range, hitting just one from seven from three-point land.
He contributed in other ways though, reeling in five rebounds to go with four assists and two steals.
Outside the imports, Keilor struggled for production.
Matt Spencer was the exception with five assists to go with six points.
The newly promoted Thunder has lost its past three games since entering the Easter break on top of the ladder.
The Thunder will be keen to square the ledger when it hosts Knox Raiders on Saturday night.
In the women’s state championship, Keilor Thunder had a nail-biting home court 85-81 loss to Knox Raiders on Saturday night.
It was neck and neck all game, but the Raiders found a way to victory in a tense final quarter.
Amy Smith was the pick of the starters for Keilor with 17 points, four rebounds and four assists. Briana Babic, who came off the bench, posted 20 points, four rebounds and three steals.
The Thunder faces Sunbury Jets on Saturday evening.
Lance Jenkinson
