THE Wallan Panthers continue to struggle in the Big V division two men’s competition, losing a bottom of the table clash last Saturday at home.
It took on the Melton Thoroughbreds who were coming off three straight losses.
The Panthers were good enough to open the match with a seven-point lead after the first term, leading 20-13.
Nathan Aikman started well for the Panthers, closing in on close to ten points half way through the second quarter, but that’s when the Panthers dropped off, conceding nine straight points to let Melton take the lead at the half 35-41.
The third term kept the Panthers at arm’s reach, with both teams scoring 19 points each leaving the scoreboard at 54-60 at the final break.
The away side came out and scored the first two buckets of the fourth, which gave it a double-digit lead that was big enough to retain for the remainder of the game.
Wallan got the gap back to five points with two minutes left in the game, but it was too little too late, as it went down 78-87.
Aikman did all he could for the Panthers dropping 31 points and having five assists, while Lachlan Lombardo and Luke Cairns were also solid, having 31 between them.
The Panthers stay at the bottom of the table, with the same amount of wins as Collingwood, who they face this Saturday at 8pm at RB Robson Stadium.
The women’s team had a deserved rest this week and get ready to take on Coburg, before the men’s team, at 6pm on Saturday.
The Panthers’ youth league men’s team also featured last Saturday, beating Albury Wodonga Bandits by 12 points in a 100-88 shootout.
Rhylee Leighton was their best player finishing with 30 points and five assists, giving the senior side some hope for the future.
They have been dominant throughout the year, sitting third on the ladder, winning five of their last five games.
The youth girls however were unsuccessful, losing their game on Sunday 35-62 against Hawthorn.
They sit on the bottom of the ladder with zero wins from 17 games in the 14-team competition.