By Tara Murray
Hume City Broncos need to step it up defensively if they’re to keep their Big V men’s state championship season alive.
The Broncos trail 1-0 in the best-of-three semi finals series after losing game one to Hawthorn Magic, 112-98 on Saturday night.
Broncos coach Matt Foster said conceding 112 points made it hard to come away with the win.
“We gave up too many points,” he said.
“Both times we’ve lost to them we’ve conceded 100 points.
“If we’re going to up that many points in a game we have to do something special on the offensive end.”
It was a fairly even first quarter, before the Magic opened up a massive lead over the next two quarters.
The margin was 21 points at the last break.
While the Broncos won the last quarter, 34-26, the damage was already done.
Foster said it was hard to pin point exactly what went wrong, with Hawthorn having five players scoring 18 points or more.
“A few possessions here or there different could have made a difference.”
Foster said they were happy with how they finished off the game, going a little bit smaller and taking some more risks.
It forced the Magic to put their starters back into the game late to ensure the win.
Jake Martin top scored for the Broncos with 23 points while Richard Oryem contributed 16 points coming off the bench.
Foster said they were hoping they were able to keep the momentum going into game two and if needed, game three.
“We had some guys a bit quite and if they can turn that around, it puts us in a good spot.
“Hawthorn probably thinks they have some areas to improve on as well.”
Foster said playing on the road for the rest of this series didn’t’ worry them.
If history is anything to go by this year, it might be a good omen.
“Both teams have won two games against each other and all wins have come on the road.
“It’s quite interesting.
“If we can limit the scoring, it gives us a chance to win the game without having to have fantastic offence.”
The Broncos women won their elimination final against McKinnon Cougars, 88-72.
For more on the women’s win, CLICK HERE.
