Marshall masterclass as Pioneers advance in OT

A game-high 34 points from Nick Marshall has handed Mount Gambier Pioneers a direct path into the NBL1 South Preliminary Final.

The Pioneers survived a last second game winner, which was waved away by officials as the Pioneers claimed a 97-96 win in overtime against Frankston on Saturday night.

Marshall was everywhere for the Pioneers and added six rebounds and four assists to his 34 points before fouling out late in the contest.

Mount Gambier, who came back from a double-digit deficit in the opening quarter, now move onto to the Preliminary Final at home on August 4 against the winner of Knox Raiders and Eltham Wildcats.

Newly crowned NBL1 North MVP Jason Cadee showed poise down the stretch as Gold Coast Rollers moved on to the semi-finals after a 99-96 win over USC Rip City on Saturday night.

Cadee had a team-high 25 points to go with 12 assists and five rebounds as the Rollers fought back from a five-point half time deficit to advance to this week’s semi-final against South West Metro Pirates.

Kyrin Galloway and his Ipswich Force are also through to the NBL1 North semi-finals after a tough 99-92 win against Cairns Marlins on Saturday night.

Galloway scored 14 points and grabbed eight rebounds as the Force turned up the heat in the second half to advance to this week’s semi-final against Logan Thunder.

In NBL1 Central, Alex Starling had a big double-double as the South Adelaide Panthers advanced to the semi-finals with a 92-81 win against Woodville Warriors at Mitchell Park on Saturday night.

Starling scored 21 points and hauled in 17 rebounds to go with four steals and three assists as the Panthers steadied late in the contest to setup a semi-final against Sturt Sabres this Sunday afternoon at Springbank.

Mitch McCarron and Fraser Roxburgh will also be back in action this Sunday afternoon when West Adelaide Bearcats face Forestville Eagles in the double chance semi-final at Port Adelaide Stadium.

The winner of this match will go directly into the NBL1 Central Men’s grand final on August 12.