Corio Bay 89
A 17-point loss to Corio Bay has brought an end to the Shepparton Gators’ impressive hot streak.
The Gators, after winning three games on the trot, succumbed to an 89-72 defeat at Shepparton Sports Stadium on Saturday night.
The round 19 outcome keeps the Gators locked in seventh spot on the Big V Division One table.
The Stingrays flexed their muscles right from tip-off.
Ranked second in the competition, Corio Bay stormed out of the blocks to hold a 20-14 lead at the first break.
Shepparton bounced back in the second term which left the scoreboard reading a 39-32 advantage to the visitors.
Scoring opened up in the second half for both sides, but it was the Stingrays who ran away with the contest — piling on 50 points to 40 after the main break.
There were still plenty of positives for head coach Josh Waight to take away from the outing.
The Gators owned the boards with a 46-41 advantage, including 14 offensive rebounds.
Meanwhile, the Gators ended with 18 assists — compared to Corio's six — thanks to a brilliant nine dimes from Matt Bartlett.
The talented guard almost ended with a triple-double (13 points, nine assists, eight rebounds) as he enjoyed a strong game.
Sam Beks led the way for the Gators with a sublime double-double performance.
The dominant forward registered 20 points and 10 rebounds in his 30 minutes of court time.
Beks shot superbly on the night and finished with 50 per cent from the field.
Dylan Wayman enjoyed another classy outing on the floor and ended with 18 points, six rebounds and four assists.
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