Illawarra 74
Griffith 73
THE Griffith Demons fell just short of notching up their second win over Illawarra this State League basketball season on Saturday afternoon, with the one-point loss costing the side more than a lack of points.
As well as missing out on the chance to maintain their place at the top of the ladder, the Demons also picked up several potentially serious injuries, with guard Nick Cullen and centre Adam O'Callaghan in doubt for the side's next game.
Cullen's calf tear in part can be attributed to the bizarre ruling by officials before the game that no Demons player was allowed to wear compression garments, while still allowing Illawarra to wear knee guards.
No exact reason was produced for the ruling by the referees, except to say a medical certificate was needed for Cullen and two other Griffith players to wear the compression garments.
Coach Andrew Cullen was left fuming after the decision, but said while it annoyed his side early on they were able to put it in the back of their minds as they raced out to an early lead over the hosting Illawarra side.
But with Leon Rosborough forced to sit on the bench early due to foul trouble the home side was able to climb back into the game and actually took a three-point lead into the first break
"I think we lost it more than they won it," Cullen said.
"I think we played a really good first quarter and a really good last quarter but we had a really ordinary second quarter and we squandered a lead and we went into the break down by three.
"We weren't making any shots and we weren't making any free throws when we had the chance and they were getting open looks, so nothing really went our way, but they didn't do anything fantastic, it's just they made open shots and we missed."
In a side that was already missing Wayne Salvestro, Corey Ryan and Mick Duncan, the Demons did not help their chances when they missed more than 12 free throws as the open chances from the floor continued to dry up.
A final quarter rally by Griffith saw them in contention to steal the win, but Cullen said some poor decision-making, including from himself, cost his side what would have been a huge victory.
Cullen pointed the finger of blame at himself for not taking an open jump shot at the end of the game, instead choosing to drive to the basket to try and earn a trip to the charity stripe.
"It was a split-second decision and I should have taken the 15-footer (shot), that's the kind of shot I ask for in a game and I got it and I declined it," he said.
Rubbing salt in the Demons' wounds was a serious knee injury to O'Callaghan after he slipped on a wet section of the court, with Cullen admitting he might have to send out an SOS to Corey Ryan ahead of the side's double-header weekends.
"So we've come away from the game in a bit of trouble, but I might have to contact Corey and see if he can play a couple of games especially if Adam's not on the court," he said.
Andrew Cullen was the top- scorer with 30 points, with the rest of the side chipping in with handy contributions.
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