Gators bounce back in style with double-header success

Fresh off their narrow loss to Keysborough, the Gators chalked up an impressive 85-61 triumph over the Redbacks at Shepparton Sports Stadium on Saturday night.

The local outfit managed to back up that stellar win with a come-from-behind 100-81 triumph over Coburg on Sunday.

Gators’ head coach Josh Waight said he was proud his charges were able to walk away with two wins from the weekend.

“Absolutely, double-header weekends are always a challenge, so to win both games is a fantastic result,” he said.

“It was nice to be able to get back on the winners’ list. We’re looking to build on those performances now.”

Waight praised the performance of forward Sam Beks in the Gators’ win over the Redbacks.

Before Beks shot at 62.5 per cent from the field during Sunday’s win, the talent shot lights out against RMIT.

“Sam had one of his best games of the season on Saturday night,” the Gators’ coach said.

“He shot the ball really well and we were able to really build on our lead off the back of it.”

Although Shepparton had control of Saturday night’s contest, the away game on Sunday was a more difficult affair.

Coburg got the early jump on the visitors and raced out to a 19-8 lead with five minutes left in the first term.

But the Gators wrestled back momentum with an extraordinary 15-2 run to lead at the first break by two points.

Another momentum swing in the second quarter saw the hosts enter the main break with a narrow 40-38 lead.

Waight said a debrief at half time helped his outfit run out the game.

The Gators registered a powerful second-half performance, one that saw them pile on 62 points to 41.

The Gators were able to maximise on turnovers in the second half by scoring 16 points out of their game total of 22.

Led by Garrett Jefferson (22 points), Matthew Bartlett (14 points) and Gabe Evans (11 and five rebounds), the Gators strolled home to chalk up their sixth win of the season.

“Coburg shot the ball really well and did a good job of restricting our looks,” Waight said.

“I was really proud of the way our boys toughed it out and got on top in the second half.”