The Geelong Supercats have used a “get out of jail free” card in last night’s thrilling 125-122 win over Mt.Gambier.

A Nathan Herbert lay-up after a steal at mid-court with the Supercats leading by just a point with less than 10 seconds to play sealed the deal for Geelong.

Herbert’s South Dragons’ former championship team mate Tariq Naqqash, who  finished with seven three-pointers in his haul of 21, had a chance to send the game into overtime but his long-range attempt hit the back of the iron and rimmed out.

The Supercats started the better of the two sides, leading by as much as 19 points in the first half, and looking set for a comfortable win over a Pioneers outfit which suited up just seven players.

“We at times played some of our best basketball in that first half,” coach Mark Leader said.

“(But) then we get ahead and we get into a comfort zone and I think we forget all about playing defence.

“They got too many easy baskets, and when they’re scoring it makes it easy to score at the other end.”

On of the Pioneers to benefit from that lack of defence was Dallas Jeffree who led all scorers with 31, and was the reason, along with an Andrew Rice half-court three-pointer on the buzzer, why the visitors were within seven points at half-time.

The break did nothing to stop Mt.Gambier’s momentum, as they took the lead twice during the third quarter.

“They came out and jumped us,” Leader said.

“(But) we went with a bit quicker line-up to put more speed on the court and that worked.”

Captain Braith Cox (21 points), in his return from a back injury, and Nathan Herbert (26 points), both had strong finishes to the third quarter to ensure Geelong would take a lead into the final quarter they would never relinquish.

Jason Reardon produced another fine all-round game, scoring 20 points, pulling in 13 rebounds and dishing out seven assists to fall just short of a triple double.

The Supercats have the weekend off, before facing the unbeaten Brisbane Spartans in the Queensland capital next Friday.