Tara Murray
The Maddie Garrick show helped the Keilor Thunder to a pair of wins on the weekend in the National Basketball League 1 South competition.
The Thunder had their best weekend in the NBL1 competition, doubling their season win total in the space of two days.
On Saturday night, the Thunder hosted the Ballarat Miners.
It was an even first quarter before the Thunder opened up a seven point lead heading into half time.
It was game on in the last quarter, with the margin reduced to just four points at the last break.
The Thunder came home strong with a 24-18 final quarter to seal the 85-75 win.
Monique Andriuolo had a season high 29 points, while Garrick chipped in with 17 points.
The Thunder headed across to the other side of the city on Sunday to face the Waverley Falcons.
Like on Saturday night, it was an even first quarter on the scoreboard before the Thunder opened up a lead in the second quarter.
They were able to maintain that in the third quarter to lead by 10 points heading into the last break.
The Falcons won the last quarter, but they weren’t able to close the gap enough, with the Thunder winning 84-77.
Garrick hit 40 points including shooting five from nine beyond the three point arc. She also had five rebounds, six assists and three steals.
The two wins moves the Thunder up to 12th on the ladder.
For the Thunder men, it was a case of so close but so far in their two matches.
On Saturday night against the Miners, a last quarter fade out proved costly.
The Thunder led at every break and the margin was seven points at the last change.
They would remain in the lead until midway through the last quarter, when the Miners hit the front midway through the last quarter.
It would stay close for the rest of the match, with Tyler Kidd having a shot in the dying seconds to level the scores, but missed.
The Miners winning 83-80.
Jacob Lampkin top scored for the Thunder with 17 points.
It was another thriller for the Thunder on Sunday against the Falcons.
The Thunder led by two points heading into the final break.
The two teams would trade the lead throughout the last quarter, with the Falcons winning 77-74.
Tyler Kidd top scored with 24 points.
The Thunder have just one win from the first six rounds. They sit second bottom, only ahead of the Eltham Wildcats.
