The Griffins came into the game sitting at a mediocre 5 wins-5 losses, 6th on the table, and with the season in the balance. After falling just short to league leaders North in the previous contest, the Griffins were out to revive their season with a much needed win over the pitiful UniSA. The Grifs were one man short from the start, with team doctor Brian Ho releasing a press statement revealing that he would miss the game due to an eye injury

 “For now I’m being carefully evaluated by myself, we’ll see how I pull up, and I guess I’m in the doctor’s, you know, my, hands”

Adam Robertson was back in squad bringing much needed hops and raising the average athletic ability of the team back to a respectable and reasonable standard. Pre-game, Toby was talking up his DPOY game – “I’ma like the new Dwight Howard, you know the new Ben Wallace”, before checking himself and stating, “You know, I’m like the new Ronny Turiaf…” On the other hand, Jay talking down his recent points explosion – “Yeah, I know I dropped 35 last week, but, I’m a team guy, pass first type player. Don’t forget I scored 28 before that…” Yeah, it was a focused warm-up.

Kel, Scotty, Chris, Jay and Toby hit the floor, Robbo and Wens took a seat next to Phil, game on!

1st Quarter:

UniSA came out in a full court trap to start the game, forcing early Griffin turnovers. Once the ball cleared half-court it was lay-up city for the Griffins, but some poor decision making from the Griffins starting backcourt gifted UniSA an early lead. Chris nailed an open in-rhythm three, Kel went baseline reverse and Wens hit a leaning jumper from the wing to bring the Grifs back into contention. Jay finished around the rim, Tobes hit a short jumper off glass and Buckets finally found his stroke for one in the corner and the Grifs had taken a small lead. UniSA ran off 6 points unanswered before Scotty stepped up and put in two more right before the quarter buzzer. Quarter score 20-16, UniSA, and Scotty Buckets led all scorers with 4.

2nd Quarter:

 The Griffin’s sloppy, low scoring play continued. Turnovers and an inability to finish at the rim cost the Griffins as they made it much harder than it had to be. Kel swatted a three-point attempt, running it down for a Jay layup, Chris went glass for two and Scotty stepped up again hitting clutch shot after clutch shot. The Grifs took the quarter 11-10, but overall it wasn’t that memorable. Halftime score 30-27 UniSA. Scotty led all scorers with 8 at the half, followed by Jay with 6.

3rd Quarter:

 Jay began to impose himself on the game, getting out on the break and finished over UniSA’s bigs. Toby was patrolling the paint like it was Amity island and he was Jaws, chasing loose balls, spiking soft shots and eating small children. Robbo was pushing the tempo and taking the opposition point-guard right out of the contest with some fantastic one-on-one defence, Scotty hit another jumper (somebody, guard that man, he’s a shooter!) and Kel popped up, cashing two 3s from inbounds plays, and the Grifs were down by a point at the final change. Jay led scorers with 11, Kel and Scotty both had 10.

4th Quarter:

 Having taken all UniSA had thrown – presses, double teams, zones, pressuring man –  and wresting momentum with a third quarter surge, the Grifs were poised, ready to pounce on the jugular, or at least throw a few sharp elbows into the jujunem, of UniSA. No one scored in the first three minutes of the quarter, but a quick timeout by coach Phil, some reorganisational focus, and the Griffins were about to open the floodgates. Jay and Toby flicked on the over drive and left UniSA’s bigs in the dust, running the floor and finishing (well, mostly) on the break. Jay put up 7 while Toby had 4, including one coast to coast layup that had ‘uncontrollable steam-train’ written all over it. Defensively, the Grifs tightened the screws, holding UniSA without a field goal for the quarter, their three points coming from free throws. The Grifs ran away with the quarter 14-3 and the match 56-46.

FINAL SCORE:

Adelaide University 2 def UniSA 56-46 (Jay 18, Scotty 12, Kel 11, Toby Turiaf 8, Mockford 5, Wens 2, Robbo 0)

Notes:

Great shooting by Scotty all night, way to find a stroke.

Bigs held it down again – Tobes, Jay, Wens and Chris all hit the boards hard, especially in the second half, and this really pushed us to the win.

Shout out to Robbo for some excellent one-on-one defence against serial pest Cliff.

Grifs hit three 3s as a team and went 5/16 (31%) from the line. That’s filthy.