Starling lifts Panthers past Lions

Newly re-signed power forward Alex Starling has shone on the NBL1 stage across the weekend, with all four rostered players in action coming away with crucial victories.

Starling, who signed a one-year contract last week, was again the star for South Adelaide in the Panthers’ 97-84 victory against Central District Lions at Mitchell Park on Saturday night.

The 199cm power forward scored a game-high 36 points to go with 18 rebounds and six assists as South Adelaide fought back from an opening quarter deficit for the tough 13-point success.

South Adelaide now moves to a 6-2 record and sit in third position on the NBL1 Central standings ahead of this week’s clash against top-ranked Forestville Eagles (1^st, 7-1) at Wayville Sports Centre. 

The NBL1 South round started way back last Tuesday night when DJ Vasiljevic scored a game-high 21 points as his Waverley Falcons defeated Dandenong Rangers 90-82 on home court.

Vasiljevic connected on five from downtown as the Falcons opened up an big 16-point lead at quarter time, only for the Rangers to cut the margin to just one point with 10 minutes to play.

Waverley held firm in the final stanza, Vasiljevic hitting some clutch free throws late as the Falcons ran out eight-point winners.

The Falcons were back in action on Saturday night at home and were too strong for Bendigo Braves in a huge 110-75 success.

Vasiljevic scored a game-high 22 points to go with four rebounds and three assists as the Falcons stormed away in the second half after going into the main break down 50-49.

Waverley now move to a 5-4 record and sit in eighth position ahead of this Saturday night’s clash at Knox against the reigning NBL1 National champions Knox Raiders (9^th, 4-2).

Mount Gambier Pioneers also had double delight across their weekend road trip with swingman Nick Marshall starring in both wins.

Marshall had a game-high 23 points to go with six rebounds and five assists as the Pioneers stormed away in the third quarter to defeat Geelong United 93-81 in Geelong on Saturday night.

The 198cm swingman then backed up his performance less than 24 hours later in Bendigo, scoring a game-high 24 points with five rebounds as Mount Gambier defeated the Braves 90-75 on Sunday afternoon.

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Mount Gambier sit pretty at the top of the NBL1 South standings with a 6-2 record before Friday night’s home clash against Nunawading Spectres (6^th, 5-3).

In NBL1 West, Sunday Dech scored a game-high 32 points to go with 11 rebounds and six assists as East Perth Eagles defeated Mandurah Magic 102-100 on Saturday night.

Dech, who swished seven three-pointers, had the chance to ice the game late from the free throw line, but his two foul shots caught iron, the Eagles holding on for the thrilling two-point win.

The victory sends the Eagles up to eighth position in the standings with a 3-4 record ahead of this round’s trip to Geraldton to play the undefeated Buccaneers (2^nd, 7-0) on Saturday night.