THE Shoalhaven Tigers cemented their spot in the Waratah League division two men's top four by defeating the Canberra Gunners Academy 90-89 on Saturday.
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At the Belconnen Basketball Stadium, the hosts opened the gripping encounter the stronger, to lead 25-20 at the first break.
The second period belonged to Ben Bagoly's troops though, as they outscored their rivals by 16 points - to go into the main break up 48-37.
The hosts responded in the third quarter, to only trail by six (67-61) going into the final term.
Shoalhaven started the fourth period on fire, extending their lead to 12 following a Tim Hanlon basket with 8.25 to play.
But the Gunners did go away and gradually ground their way back into the contest, to find themselves down by one point with just under five minutes to go.
The Gunners then drew level but never actually hit the front, as the visitors scored seven of the next eight points, to lead 88-82 with 2.25 on the clock.
Then a Samuel Bates three-pointer with 31 seconds on the clock, brought the match back to a one-point game.
Although they failed to score themselves, the Tigers dug deep defensively in the final exchanges, to hold on to a gutsy one-point victory.
Leading the way for the black and golds, who now sit in fourth with a 6-2 record, was Bruce Ozolins (31 points) and Dane Jensen (17).
Bagoly's side now has two weekends off before returning to the court at Newcastle on Saturday, June 26.
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