The Seahawks improved their Big V division one record to 4-1 after emerging from their longest road trip of the season with a 92-83 triumph.

American import Alex Starling posted his fifth-consecutive double-double, dropping 31 points to go with 11 rebounds and six assists.

But he was not alone in hitting the scoreboard or hauling in boards — a point Cunningham was keen to emphasise post-match.

Dion Smith finished with season-best numbers in scoring 20 points and grabbing five rebounds.

Young giants Curtis Ryan (16 points, five rebounds) and Liam Killey (six points, nine rebounds) were also instrumental.

“I think we learnt from last week,” Cunningham said, reflecting on errors made in an upset loss to Southern Peninsula.

“We weren’t just giving the ball to Alex and standing around. Alex got his points out of our offence, we weren’t being spectators.”

The coach singled out Smith for particular praise. The guard was averaging seven points per game before lighting up the court on Saturday night.

“Alex was definitely the game MVP but without Dion last night, I don’t know if we would’ve got out of there with a win,” he said.

“He was running the floor, finishing around the basket, hitting threes. Dion did everything, he was that guy.”

Warrnambool hit the court running and led 25-18 at quarter-time — a start Cunningham put down to reaching the Sunraysia city with time to prepare.

But Mildura wrestled back ascendency to cut a 10-point deficit early in the second term to just one at the main break.

Baskets from Anthony Thomas and Calvin Henry then gave the hosts the lead for the first time in the match. But momentum would again swing.

An 14-0 run in just over five minutes allowed the Seahawks to seize control. They always led thereafter, but endured nervous moments down the stretch.

“We made our runs at Southern Peninsula as well, just didn’t make a big enough of a run. That’s what basketball is, a game of runs,” Cunningham said.

“We got off to a good start, they pulled us back, we kicked on again, they pulled us back ... it was who had the biggest run.

“For the 40 minutes, we would’ve held sway for 30 of them. They had a patch in that second quarter when they cut it to one at half-time.

“Teams are going to make runs at you. It’s can you answer the call, can you answer the bell? 

“I believe we did that.”

The Seahawks face a testing double-header this weekend — a schedule which includes a four-and-a-half-hour trip home on Sunday afternoon.

They meet Melton (5-1) at the Arc on Saturday night before taking on Latrobe City (5-1) at Traralgon the following day.

Meanwhile, the Seahawks youth league two outfit suffered a 73-68 defeat to Mildura on Saturday night to remain winless after six matches.