By Lance Jenkinson
Keilor Thunder is the first team through to the Big V basketball women’s state championship grand final.
The Thunder went into the playoffs as one of the form teams on the back of a four-game winning streak.
The Tom Bandilovski-coached Thunder secured a direct route to the decider after a hard-fought 80-74 victory over defending champions Sunbury Jets at Boardman Stadium on Saturday night.
Keilor was magnificent early, opening up a 17-point, half-time lead.
PHOTO GALLERY: Sunbury Jets vs Keilor Thunder
The Thunder needed every bit of that lead as Sunbury mounted a comeback with a 23-10 third-quarter blitz.
Leading by four at three-quarter time, Keilor steadied in the fourth period to hold on for a famous win in the club’s history that leaves them one step away from a title.
Erin Bollmann’s class shone through for Keilor. She finished with 29 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and three steals in a stellar performance.
Ellen Kett did a little bit of everything for Keilor with 12 points, six rebounds and five assists, while A’Lexus Harrison and Aneta Bandilovski both scored 11.
Keilor will await the winner of the preliminary final clash between the Sunbury Jets and Werribee Devils.
The best-of-three grand final series will begin the following weekend.
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