A DOMINANT first term helped Warrnambool Seahawks defend their home court on Saturday night.
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The Seahawks posted an 85-71 win against fellow Big V finals contender Chelsea Gulls at the Arc after bursting out of the blocks.
They raced to a 10-point quarter-time lead and were never headed as they improved their record to 12-7 with three regular season games to play.
Warrnambool assistant coach Craig McLeod said the Seahawks played with intent.
“The first quarter was fantastic, especially the last four minutes,” he said.
“We kept them to two points. We went with a full-court press and under the pressure we certainly got a lot of stops.”
The Seahawks’ lead was trimmed to six points at half-time and they were locked in an intense battle in the third term as both sides sank 23 points.
But Warrnambool, eager to reinstate its home court dominance after an up and down month, surged again, draining 24 points in a fourth quarter blitz.
Athletic guard Leigh Saffin finished with a team-high 20 points, veteran Tim Gainey scored 16 points and import Alex Starling claimed yet another double double for his 14 points and 12 boards.
“Leigh had limited minutes in the first half and finished the game well,” McLeod said.
“He had five from eight from the three-point line.
“He’s been doing that stuff at training and to put it on the board in a game was fantastic.”
McLeod said talls Liam Killey and Curtis Ryan provided a strong presence in the paint and he was thrilled with James Mitchell’s efforts.
Mitchell finished with 12 points from his 21 minutes on court.
Warrnambool hosts Keilor Thunder at home on Saturday night before it wraps up its regular season with a double-header against Blackburn Vikings (home) and Geelong Supercats (away).
The Thunder notched an 11-point win against the Seahawks in round seven.
Starling sunk a season-high 34 points in that match.
McLeod said Keilor, sitting two rungs below third-placed Warrnambool, would provide a steep challenge.
“They are tall, fast and have a nice Canadian import who directs them,” he said.
Meanwhile, Warrnambool suffered an 87-75 loss to Chelsea in the division two youth league competition on Saturday night.
The Seahawks had a three-point lead at half-time but were overrun after the main break.
Tom Fary, who also suited up for the division one side, dropped a game-high 18 points.
