Keilor Thunder took the challenge up to three-peat champions Sunbury Jets before sinking to an 82-75 loss in the Big V women’s state championship at the Keilor Basketball Stadium on Sunday.
A slow start came back to bite the Thunder, who got the better of the visitors in the second and fourth quarters, but not enough to bridge the nine-point gap at quarter-time. It was an encouraging performance from Keilor, who might not face a sterner test this season.
Import Erin Bollman led the way for Keilor with a superb 20 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists and six steals.
Three other Thunder starters reached double figures, including Aneta Bandilovski, with 15 points, four rebounds and five steals, A’Lexus Harrison, with 12 points, six rebounds and three steals, and Stephanie Collins, with 10 points.
It was Keilor’s first blemish in three starts.
The Thunder will be keen to get back on track when they visit McKinnon Cougars on Saturday night.
In the men’s state championship, Keilor Thunder won 98-85 against Blackburn Vikings at Mullum Mullum Stadium on Saturday night.
The Thunder stormed to a 14-point lead at quarter-time and never looked back.
Michael Anderson showed why the Thunder were so keen to secure his services as an import. He had a mammoth game with 36 points, 18 rebounds and six assists to be the clear standout on the night.
Joel Bellman (21 points) and B.J. Symons (20) were a constant threat on offence.
Chris Kaba had a good all-round game for the Thunder with 10 points, six rebounds and five assists.
Keilor will play a crucial double header this weekend.
The Thunder play away on Saturday night to the Hawthorn Magic, before returning home on Sunday to host Hume City Broncos.
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