Maitland prevailed 85-82 in their top of the table clash against Central Coast after former Mustang Mitch Rueter forced the game into overtime with a clutch two-pointer.
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"He is still a great mate and he had a fantastic game, but we were not going to let Mitch get this one on us," Mustangs coach Luke Boyle said of his team's effort to get home by three points.
Led by an outstanding final quarter by skipper Terrell Turner, who finished with and a superb defensive effort from US import Isaiah Ellis (17 points, 12 rebounds), the Mustangs claimed their biggest scalp of the season.
The Crusaders maintain top spot, but are now just one game clear of the Mustangs in second.
It was a huge team effort with Sam Huggins coming off the bench to get a double-double (10 points, 10 rebounds), Taiga Cantor stepping up with 14 points and Jack Edwards almost matching Huggins and Ellis' double-doubles landing 12 points and pulling in nine rebounds.
Boyle said the input from Huggins was crucial with Daniel Millburn fouling out early and Josh Clifford suffering calf soreness and limited in what he could contribute.
He said Turner's leadership was crucial in the final term and Ellis was huge in defence.
"Terrell allowed things to frustrate him for a while, but in the fourth quarter he snapped back into it and got the job done for us when we needed him.
"Isaiah had a terrific game, I think at times his defensive work probably doesn't get the credit it deserves.
"On the stats it said he had two blocks, but I'm sure there were more and the effect of his work was enormous. They were forced to change their match-up and had to take jump shots after
"It was good to know that we can beat the top team.
"We had a lot of good performances. It been good that different guys are stepping up at crucial times for us.
"Taiga had a huge game for us off the bench and he got that opportunity because we had a couple of guys unable to get on. Cliffy (Josh Clifford) had a bad calf and couldn't go as long as we wanted him to, Jimbo (James McAnaulty) was hurt, Beavo (Lachlan Beavis) was hurt.
"Sammy Huggins came off the bench and gave us a double-double which was really helpful. He came in and gave us some big rebounds in the second and third quarters. Again it is just so good to have the ability to bring some of these more experienced guys off the bench.
"We know who we need on the floor at crucial times, so when Dan Millburn only plays 11 minutes because he got fouled out, we had guys like Huggo and Taiga and to step in."
