Frankston Blues NBL1 South 2023 Round 8 Recap

Bibby, Brown lead Frankston over Keilor

The one-two punch of Chloe Bibby and Louise Brown helped to lead the Frankston Blues to the 79-61 victory against the Keilor Thunder.

The Blues were at home to the Thunder on Saturday night at Dreamstreet Lending Arena attempting to break into the NBL1 South's top four while Keilor was just looking to get back to winning.

It was a tight contest in the opening half with no more than five points separating the two teams with Frankston leading by three points at quarter-time and then stretching the advantage to four at intermission.

The Blues did extend their advantage to eight by three quarter-time and then took over further in the fourth period with 20 points to 10 to end up winning by 18.

The victory improves Frankston to an 8-4 record on the season with consecutive wins while Keilor is 3-8 having lost three straight.

Chloe Bibby delivered 26 points, five rebounds and three assists in the win for the Blues with Louise Brown producing 18 points, 18 rebounds, three blocked shots, two assists and a steal.

Micaela Cocks added 13 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals, Chelsea D'Angelo 12 points and seven boards, and Ella Batish 10 points, three rebounds, three assists and two blocked shots.

Ai Yamada put up 18 points and six assists on 4/8 three-point shooting for Keilor with Juna Umezawa adding 15 points and 11 rebounds, Lana Hollingsworth nine points and six assists, and Eva Kristjansdottir eight points, six rebounds and four steals.

Blues catch fire to overpower Thunder

The Frankston Blues had to dig deep but turned on a scorching second half performance to come from 13 points down to beat the Keilor Thunder 106-103.

Frankston were attempting to bounce back from last week's loss to the Knox Raiders but Keilor arrived at Dreamstreet Lending Arena ready to make their own statement and snap their losing streak.

Keilor put up 32 points to 24 in the opening quarter and during the second term were leading by as much as 13 points, and were still on top 57-53 going into the half-time break.

Frankston caught fire in stunning fashion with their three-point shooting in the third quarter, though, to put up 29 points to 17 to grab the lead, and then to lead by as much as 11 on the back of a 12-0 run going into the fourth term.

The Blues were able to lock away the three-point win in the finish in a dramatic end to the game with Igor Hadziomerovic draining a clutch three before the Thunder denied themselves a chance to level scores with a back court violation as Zac Triplett passed to Theus Evan Wardlow.

Frankston secured the win to improve to a 9-3 record on the season as a result while Keilor is now 4-7 with five straight defeats.

Lucas Barker had a massive performance for the Blues with 26 points, 16 rebounds and six assists with Igor Hadziomerovic adding 22 points, Lachlan Barker 20 points, six boards and five assists, Brad Newley 16 points, seven rebounds and three assists, and Jordan Evans 12 points and six boards.

Robbie Heath produced 31 points and four assists for Keilor while draining 5/10 from the land of plenty with Zac Triplett adding 19 points, seven assists and six rebounds, William Jenkins III 17 points and four boards, and Oliver Hayes-Brown 14 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and two blocks.