May 8: Frankston Blues 97 (R. Kampman 29, A. Harms 27, C. Briggs 12) defeated St Laurence Geelong Supercats 87 (I. Muhammad 31, N. Herbert 14, B. Cox 13) at the Arena

The St Laurence Geelong Supercats have squandered a 20 point quarter time lead to loose to their nemesis the Frankston Blues by 10 points at the Arena on Saturday night.

The first quarter was a Supercats showcase with both Nathan Herbert and, in particular, Isma’il Muhammad on fire for the home side. Muhammad’s 18 first quarter points included 2 massive dunks including a reverse jam with just 8 seconds on the clock on the end of a Braith Cox alley-oop. That combined with Herbert’s 11 points for the term helped Geelong out to a 20 point margin at the break and it looked like being a procession from then on against the Blues who have been struggling.

Beyond the first quarter, however, it was sadly a different story as import Rob Kampman and Andrew Harmes began to assert their ascendancy at both ends of the court. The warning signs were there in the second term as Muhammad and Herbert’s scoring was slowed to e trickle. Cox, Jamie Medved and J’Nathan Bullock helped the Supercats keep the scoreboard moving but the Blues added 32 to Geelong’s 24 to bring the margin back to 12 points, 63to 51 at the half.

The third term was a disaster for the Supercats. Just six points came for the term as the Frankston defensive machine was at full throttle. Nick Owusu’s jump shot at 8 minutes was to be the only field goal until Muhammad’s at 12 seconds remaining as the Blues calmly added 25 points to wrest the lead by seven at the final break.

The Supercats tried valiantly in the last but every basket was answered. With Herbert, Muhammad and Owusu all fouling out in the final stages, the Blues extended their lead to 10 points. With the game lost, Head Coach Jamie O’Loughlin found a minute at the end of the game to give rookie Michael Rebula his first taste of SEABL action.

The Blues went on to record the win 97 to 87 against the bitterly disappointed Supercats. The loss made all the more painful in the knowledge that ladder leaders Sandringham and Hobart were both defeated this weekend, which would have meant top spot for the Supercats had they not wasted this opportunity.

Muhammad finished with 31 points, while Herbert had 14, Cox 13, Bullock 12 and Medved 11. Kampman finished with 29 for the visitors on the back of 5 of 7 three point shooting.

The Supercats must now regroup as they travel to Tasmania next weekend to play Hobart on Friday night and North West Tasmania on Saturday night. Geelong will return to the Arena on May 22nd at 7:30 to take on the in form Bendigo Braves.

Follow @GeelongSupercat on www.Twitter.com