The Townsville Crocodiles have stamped their premiership credentials with a 100-89 win over the Gold Coast Blaze at the Townsville Entertainment Centre on Friday night.
It sealed top spot on the ladder for the North Queenslanders pending Friday night’s game between Perth Wildcats and the New Zealand Blaze.
It took the Crocodiles winning streak to four games with five rounds left in the season and marked the third win in a row against the Blaze.
Corey Williams (22), Brad Williamson (17) and Peter Crawford (15) were instrumental for the homeside while Anthony Petrie (26), James Harvey (21) and Ayinde Ubaka (14) worked tirelessly for the Blaze.
Williamson was paramount in turning the fate of his side, which suffered a sluggish start, coming off the bench for a 13-point second quarter but was benched soon after for a wild attempt at the basket from downtown.
Gold Coast kept its nose in front in a lighting first quarter despite several lead changes within the first five minutes.
Ayinde Ubaka launched from well beyond the arc whilst team-mates and opponents stood defenceless other than to watch the ball float in.
Anthony Petrie was meticulous from the floor with 3-3 from the field and a three- pointer to give his side a 26-22 lead at quarter time.
Townsville was almost blown away in the second with the margin extending to eight points but it could have been much larger if not for desperate defence.
Williamson kept them in touch with 13 points for the quarter including two three-pointers, one of which saw the ball travel through foive pairs of hands to bring the margin within two baskets.
Russell Hinder reacted angrily after a heated clash with former Croc Greg Venderjagt which saw both teams come together but it didn’t impact the score line with the visitors leading 50-45 at half time.
The Crocodiles clawed their way back into the game locking the scores up at 55 apiece with six minutes to go in the third.
Cameron Tovey netted a radar-like three-pointer to take the lead 59-56 for the first time since the early exchanges of the night.
Peter Crawford sunk another three-pointer from far-a-field as the homeside finally hit their straps for a six- point lead.
The Blaze hit back with James Harvey nailing late three-pointers to reclaim the lead 75-72 at three-quarter time.
It was a see-saw affair in the fourth with the game ending the way it began.
Roland Roberts monstered defenders to grab a long ball into the paint and drop it into the net for a 84-80 lead with five minutes on the clock.
Ubaka drove to the net while ducking flying challenges to take the lead 85-84 not long after.
Michael Cedar raced down the court twice in less than a minute to return fire and reclaim the lead 88-85
Williams hit the Blaze in between their eyes with a three-pointer from straight down the middle to seal an 11-point victory.
Townsville Crocodiles 100 (Williams 22, Williamson 17, Crawford 15)
Gold Coast Blaze 89 (Petrie 26, Harvey 21, Ubaka 14)
@Townsville Entertainment Centre 08/01/10 Attendance 4072
