IAN Ozolins and his Kennedy's Tours Shoalhaven Tigers division one men's team have bounced back into form, like every champion team does.
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One week after their first loss of the season to Illawarra, the Tigers didn't hold back at the Den on Saturday night, smashing the Wagga Wagga Heat 100-69.
The match opened with both sides trading early baskets before Ozolins team went into the first break up 24-16.
But the second quarter belonged to the black and gold, as they outscored the visitors 23-13, to hold a commanding 18-point lead at half-time.
That lead pushed out to 25 points by three quarter-time before the Tigers ended up winning by 31.
In the win, which moves the Tigers to 5-1 on the season, Bruce Ozolins top scored with 23 points, while guards Alex Brown (18) and Billy Campbell (15) also shot the ball well.
"There's no denying that loss against Illawarra hurt but we all had a good chat during the week and got on the same page - going into the match with a positive frame of mind," coach Ian Ozolins said.
"That mentality showed on Saturday, as all the boys were focused on defeating Wagga, a side that has had the wood on us in previous years.
"As that was the case, we made sure to not to take the foot off the throat and give them anything.
"In the win, I thought we showed great maturity and composure, as well as playing exciting, fun basketball.
"Everyone is enjoying being out on the court at the moment and all the boys are willing to put their bodies on the line for one another, as showed by our commitment to getting our hands on those loose balls - both defensively and on the glass.
"We have righted the ship and we are now back on track, heading towards our goal of a championship."
The loss leaves Wagga at 1-5 on the season and in big trouble of missing the 2019 Waratah League finals.
Next up for the Tigers is a top of the table clash with Sutherland at the Den on Saturday, April 27.