Shepparton Gators Elliana Gray attacks from the perimeter. Photos: Sandra Michalitsis
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Sandra Michalitsis
A clutch three-pointer from Elliana Gray has seen Shepparton’s women’s Gators outfit complete a stirring second-half comeback to score their second win of the Country Basketball League season.
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Seymour arrived as the opponent at Shepparton Sports Stadium on Saturday, but the visitor jumped out to a four-point advantage at quarter-time, before clamping the key in the second term to shut out Shepparton offensively, the Blasters leading 31 to 18 at the main break.
However, it was six days earlier the Gators found themselves placed in a similar precarious position, but were able to persevere and overcome the half-time deficit.
With the proven ability to win from behind, the Gators’ unwavering belief bit away at the Blasters in the third and fourth terms, as Shepparton dribbled towards a second win.
Powered by Tamica Tunumafono (12 points) and Isabel Whitelaw (11), they reduced the margin to five at three-quarter time, before a Whitelaw bucket from beyond the arc saw the Blasters’ lead shot dead on the hardwood with less than five minutes to play.
Seymour would tie the game at one stage before the final buzzer, but a three-pointer from Gray with a touch more than two minutes remaining was the sealer, the Gators landing a 59 to 55 victory over one of the division’s top sides.
Shepparton Gators' Elliana Gray finds a teammate on the move.
Photo by
Sandra Michalitsis
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Shepparton Gators Abby Commadeur fires from the corner.
Photo by
Sandra Michalitsis
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Shepparton Gators Tamica Tunumafono scores one of her 12 points.
Photo by
Sandra Michalitsis
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Shepparton Gators Holly Reid handles the Spalding.
Photo by
Sandra Michalitsis
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Shepparton Gators coach Paul Whitelaw motivates the squad.
Photo by
Sandra Michalitsis
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Shepparton Gators Elliana Gray attacks from the perimeter.
Photo by
Sandra Michalitsis
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Seymour Blasters coach Carly Stones iterates the game plan.
Photo by
Sandra Michalitsis
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Shepparton Gators Mackenzie Clark lays-up a contested bucket.
Photo by
Sandra Michalitsis
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Shepparton Gators Janaya Pettie makes it count from the stripe.
Photo by
Sandra Michalitsis
The Gators are a point behind being a top-three team in North East women’s division, but won’t get to make their move towards a finals berth until Saturday, November 14 due to back-to-back byes across the next fortnight.
Meanwhile, the men’s Gators have suffered another damning blow.
Riam Schlegel impressed with 11 points, but Shepparton recorded a 45-99 defeat to Seymour, taking the Gators’ record to 0-4.
The Gators will go back to the drawing board for a couple of weeks also, with a match against the Echuca Pirates scheduled at home on November 14.
