By ADEM SARICAOGLU
AN undermanned Altona Gators outfit was comprehensively put to the sword by the Melbourne University Black Angels on the road on Saturday night.
The damage was done after just one quarter of Men’s Division One Big V basketball in which Melbourne University outscored Altona by a whopping 32-13.
From there the Gators never recovered, conceding another 48 points in the second and third quarters while only managing to add 31 of their own.
With the result simply a formality, all defensive tactics were thrown out the window in the final term with a total 60 points scored at both ends of the court.
The Gators won the quarter with 33 of those points, but they came with little comfort as they slumped to their 11th loss of the season and fifth on the Terrill Pool ladder.
John Wilkinson contributed more than a third of Altona’s total score on the night with a whopping 27 points and 10 rebounds, while Daniel Ellul was next best with 14 and two.
But little could be done up the other end of the court, with Jovan Bojanic and Nichloas Masunda both dropping 20 points each and combing for 19 total rebounds.
Meanwhile Altona’s women are still languishing in last place after failing to get the job done over the Mildura Heat at home on Sunday.
After leading by 11 points at quarter time Altona gave up 26 points to 17 of their own in the second term to lead by just two at the half.
From there Mildura inflicted its pain on the Division One cellar-dwellers, outscoring the Gators 45-30 in the second half to secure a 13-point, come-from-behind win.
Mildura’s Brooke Rule was the most prolific scorer on the court with 26 points and couldn’t be matched by any of her Altona opponents.
The closest Gator to get to that mark was Alysha Carden-David, who was impressive in the key with 19 points and 12 rebounds.
Jayne-Maree Sant also put up some good numbers with 17 points and 10 rebounds.
Both teams will host Whittlesea this Saturday evening.
