A TIMELY Thomas Portbury cameo helped lift Latrobe City Energy to a win over Camberwell in Saturday’s first leg of a BigV division one double header.
In 17 minutes of court time Portbury nailed 17 points, shooting at a remarkable 71 per cent from the field, to confound the Dragons’ defence.
Striking in tandem with heavy-hitters Raheem Lemons (19 points, 12 rebounds) and Jordan Coleman (17 points, six rebounds), Portbury’s contribution went a long way toward an eventual 83-64 win on the road.
Down by four at the first change, Energy clicked into gear in the second and went on to win each remaining quarter.
The Energy was unable to back up its efforts in its second away game of the weekend on Sunday when it went down 72-81 to Geelong.
The Supercats took full advantage of Energy’s tired legs to build a five-point lead by quarter-time, and extended the margin out to eight by half-time.
A mini revival in the fourth, which Energy won 18-14, was not enough to bridge the divide.
United States import Lemons was again key for Energy with a double-double 24 points and 18 rebounds, while Coleman fouled out with 13 points to his name.
The weekend results left Energy locked in fifth place with one round to play ahead of finals.
The Energy women solidified third spot on their BigV division one ladder after dismissing Craigieburn 97-64.
Energy bounded to a 28-12 quarter-time lead and never looked back in a comprehensive performance.
Tanarly Hood was everywhere, pinching steals, assists, rebounds and a handy 24 points to engineer the offence, while US import Shanice Steenholdt was her consistent self with 25 points and 13 rebounds.
Energy is now assured a top four finish on the regular season ladder with one match to play.
The women will face second-placed Geelong this weekend in a convenient test ahead of playoffs.
