LATROBE City Energy held off Mildura by two points to seal its first win of the BigV division one men’s competition at Traralgon on Saturday night.
The Energy scored a tense 70-68 round two triumph to notch a maiden victory for new coach Jason Sutherland.
United States import Raheem Lemons led the scoring with 22 points and 16 rebounds with support from Ben Barlow (12pts, 8rb) and Simon Vannapraseuth with 11 points.
Latrobe City’s division one women did not fare as well and fell to a 64-76 loss to Mildura on the night.
After leading all night the Energy suffered a final quarter fadeout as the Heat fired 29 points to the home team’s 10.
Latrobe City hit just four of 24 field goal attempts in the fourth to concede the lead and ultimately the game.
The night started promisingly as Energy burst to a 22-14 lead at the first change and extended the advantage to nine points by half-time.
The Heat hit back in the fourth to draw within seven points before it ran away with the match.
Energy’s Tanarly Hood (20pts, 10rb) and Chelsea D’Angelo (19pts, 12rb) stood tall with double-doubles for the home side.
Latrobe City’s men’s side will travel to Blackburn for round three on Sunday while the women are on the road against Western Port.
The club is hopeful of having new US import Shanice Steenholdt cleared to play.
