Marshall stars as Pioneers hit top spot

Adelaide 36ers swingman Nick Marshall has led Mount Gambier Pioneers to equal first place in the NBL1 South standings after another all-round performance on Friday night.

Marshall scored 21 points to go with six rebounds and six assists as Mount Gambier overcame an opening quarter nine-point deficit to defeat North West Tasmania Thunder 91-84 at Wulanda Recreation Centre.

The 198cm swingman was a force at both ends of the court, and created a great one-two punch with NBL24 development player Akeck Aliir, who scored a game-high 30 points to go with seven rebounds and a block.

Mount Gambier has now won four of their first five games of the season, and share top place on the NBL1 South standings with Eltham Wildcats.

DJ Vasiljevic scored 17 points, grabbed four rebounds, and dished four assists, but it wasn’t enough for Waverley Falcons, who fell 94-93 to Melbourne Tigers at Waverley Basketball Stadium.

The Falcons took a six-point lead into the final quarter, but were unable to hold off the Tigers, a Callum Barker tip in on the buzzer giving Melbourne the thrilling victory.

In NBL1 West, Sunday Dech scored a game-high 18 points as East Perth Eagles defeated Perry Lakes Hawks 96-69 at Morley Sport and Recreation Centre on Saturday night.

The Eagles, who now sit in ninth with a 2-3 record, took control after half-time, building on their eight-point lead at the main break, Dech also adding seven rebounds, six assists and two steals in the 27-point success.

READ MORE

• NBL1 Wrap - April 15: Cadee triple double fires Rollers
• Vasiljevic: 'Coming to Adelaide gave me Olympic hope'
• Flowers declares for 2024 NBA Draft
• 36ers ready for NBL25 Free Agency moves

Point guard Jason Cadee scored a game-high 33 points, but it still wasn’t enough for Gold Coast Rollers, who fell 106-98 to South West Metro Pirates at Hibiscus Sports Stadium on Saturday night.

Cadee, who also had seven assists, six rebounds and two steals, was on fire early for the Rollers, scoring 22 points in the opening half, but the Pirates controlled the game for a majority of the contest for the eight-point success.

Gold Coast now sit third in NBL1 North standings with a 2-1 record ahead of a trip to the Top End this Saturday night to play Darwin Salties.