It was a case of better late than never as Keilor Thunder came from behind to pip Southern Peninsula Sharks in a Big V basketball women’s division 1 thriller at Keilor Basketball Stadium on Saturday night.
The Thunder came back from a four-point three-quarter time deficit to beat the Sharks 76-74 on the back of two late trips to the free-throw line by Kristen Mavor.
Mavor was fouled twice in the last 14 seconds, earning two shots on each occasion and draining one from two both times to give the Thunder the two-point break.
It was a pressure situation for Mavor, who had missed her previous four free throws, but she put it out of her mind to come up big for her side.
Mavor had a tidy all-round game, finishing with eight points, six rebounds and four assists.
But in an even performance from the Thunder, it was captain Jessica Francke who stood head and shoulders above.
She finished with 19 points, six rebounds and four assists to be the most valuable player on her side.
Aside from the skipper, the numbers were evenly spread across the board, with players one though 10 figuring in at least 10 minutes of action.
A nice start for the Thunder, who improved to 2-0, but their credentials will be serious tested when title favourites Geelong Supercats (2-0) visit Keilor Basketball Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
