McCarron leads Bearcats to top billing

Adelaide 36ers captain Mitch McCarron returned to NBL1 action on the weekend with a near triple double to lead West Adelaide Bearcats to the top of the NBL1 Central standings.

McCarron scored 21 points, hauled in eight rebounds and dished six assists as the Bearcats withstood a final quarter frenzy from Sturt Sabres to win 93-91 at Port Adelaide Recreation Centre.

The Bearcats enjoyed a 10-point half-time lead and even grew their advantage to 13 points midway through the final quarter, before the Sabres came storming back into the contest, thanks to Adelaide 36ers Development Player Keanu Rasmussen.

Rasmussen, who scored a game-high 27 points, was everywhere for the Sabres, including connecting on a huge three-pointer which tied the scores at 91-91 with six seconds to play.

West Adelaide’s win sends the Bearcats to top of the NBL1 Central standings with a 10-3 win-loss record, while the Sabres slip back to third place on 9-4.

The Bearcats face North Adelaide Rockets back on their home court this Saturday night, while the Sabres will play Forestville Eagles at Springbank.

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Alex Starling had a big double-double of 17 points and 18 rebounds for South Adelaide, but it wasn’t enough for the Panthers, who went down to Forestville Eagles 107-80 at Wayville Sports Centre on Saturday night.

Starling had to battle with foul trouble early in the first half which limited his impact on the game, and the Eagles took full advantage, winning all four quarters of the contest.

South Adelaide, who are now 8-5 and sit in fourth place, has now lost its past two matches, and face a must-win game on Saturday night on their Mitchell Park home court against Central District Lions.

Nick Marshall missed both matches for Mount Gambier on the weekend, but the Pioneers had a successful 2-0 road trip to Victoria.

Mount Gambier used a 30-20 third quarter burst on Saturday night to defeat Ringwood Hawks 105-98 at The Rings Complex, before travelling to Ballarat on Sunday afternoon for a comfortable 105-85 success against the Miners.

The two victories have moved the Pioneers up to fifth position on the NBL1 South standings with a 10-5 win-loss record ahead of their home clash this Friday night against Geelong Supercats at Wulanda Recreation Centre.

Ipswich Force were no match for Cairns Marlins in NBL1 North action on Sunday afternoon in a 111-98 loss.

Kyrin Galloway scored 10 points and grabbed three rebounds for the Force but had to deal with foul trouble as Ipswich lost their fourth game of the season.

Despite the defeat, Ipswich remain in third position on the standings ahead of their double header weekend away to Logan Thunder on Saturday night, before hosting Jason Cadee and the red-hot Gold Coast Rollers at home on Sunday afternoon.