Shepparton Gators are starting to pick up the pace at the right time of the season.
They lost two in a row and proceeded to pick up a ton of injuries.
The newly-promoted side’s Big V Championship campaign was seemingly stalling.
And now the Gators have won two in a row and look like a completely different team.
Last week, a completely decimated squad won over Camberwell at the Swamp.
Imports Devin Thomas, Jayden Coke and Benalla big man Lachy Kego were out injured.
Thomas and Coke returned for round nine to take on Melbourne University away from home on Saturday night, June 1.
The Gators were down by double digits after the first half, but mounted a late comeback to win 89-84.
Shepparton struggled to make shots the first three quarters, but caught a heater when it mattered most.
Seymour’s own Tyler Best got the ball rolling with back-to-back contested triples from the exact same spot on the court to cut into the lead just before the end of the third period.
Shepparton trailed by six to open the fourth, but was tied up within about 40 seconds thanks to another pair of back-to-back threes, this time from Kiwi sniper Josh Kooiman.
Thomas gave Shepparton the lead with another pair of back-to-back buckets, first from three and then a pull-up from the mid-range.
A layup from Kooiman and then two triples from captain Matt Bartlett gave Shepparton control of the game.
A few late turnovers from the Gators resulted in a nail-biting finish, but Shepparton scraped across the finish line after a few crucial defensive stops.
Kooiman (19 points, nine assists) struggled shooting early, but had 11 points and three assists in the fourth quarter alone.
“Great team win after a rough shooting display to start the game,” he said.
“We were able to find that extra gear that pushed us over the edge.
“The crowd got into us, but in the end we got the last laugh.”
Kooiman heaped praise on a “huge” and “dominant” Thomas and said the American did a great job taking on board advice from the coaches and adjusting to the other team.
Thomas finished with a game-high 23 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
Coach Josh Waight also acknowledged Thomas’ awesome performance.
“It was great for him to see that ball drop through the basket like it did,” Waight said.
“Those boys (Coke and Thomas) were very reflective while watching the team play without them and they’ve really thought hard about how they can best help the team.
"We’re heading in the right direction and the team has good energy.
“They know they can compete with anyone.”
Shepparton moved up to seventh on the Championship ladder.
It welcomes last-placed Western Port to Shepparton Sports Stadium on Saturday night, June 15, at 7pm.