Walker delivering in biggest moments leading into postseason

With so much on the line for us on Thursday evening, the team’s stars delivered, securing another Throwdown win and giving us a chance to leap into fourth place ahead of the postseason.

From the opening tip, import guard Tyson Walker was aggressive, scoring 10 points in the first period, including a spectacular buzzer-beating three-ball.

Walker would finish the game with 23 points on the back of a season high 21 shots.

After the contest, Head Coach Dean Vickerman praised the Michigan State product for his assertiveness when looking to score the ball.

“It's been a push for us all year and I think he just really understands how much we need him,” Vickerman explained.

“I thought he was great at both ends… He wants to do the right thing. He wants and we wanted him to be a real defensive key for us. 

“We wanted him to get other people involved and the way it's kind of worked out with CG (Chris Goulding) being a little bit hurt the last few games and Shea (Ili) out, it's like we just need more (scoring) from him right now and we're asking more of him and he's delivered.”

Our only player to outscore Walker on Thursday was Milton Doyle, who tallied 25 points, extending his streak of 20+ point scoring performances to three games.

He lauded Walker’s performance and his ability to thrive despite playing in his first professional season outside of America.

“He's doing a great job to be so young and to be in his first year over here playing,” Doyle said. 

“ I think he's one of the best I've seen in a first year. He does well scoring the ball and knowing when to get others involved. 

“He's a pest on defense; one of the best guards in the league at guarding guards, one through three and all the other team's best players.”

Looking forward to the postseason, Doyle said a hard-fought win like Thursday evening’s will only help the group's confidence that they can beat anyone.

“We've been talking about confidence a lot and I think games like this, you're playing against one of the better teams in the league that's on a roll… It just builds confidence getting a win, getting one under the belt.

“You go through the ups and downs of it and you figure out a way to win. I think that's playoff basketball and it's a good momentum builder for us.”

We will next take the court following the FIBA Window in either a home game against Tasmania, or in an away Throwdown against the South East Melbourne Phoenix.

Keep an eye on our socials for all the up-to-date information regarding our next game.