The Maitland Mustangs bowed out of the Wartatah Champions League play-offs with an 81-72 loss to Central Coast Crusaders in Saturday night's semi-final.
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Daniel Millburn scored a game-high 31 at 52 per cent and Maitland had three other players in double figures, but the Mustangs could not bridge a 10-point gap established by the Crusaders in the first half.
Maitland's cause was dealt a severe blow when Jack Edwards was forced from the game in the second quarter with an ankle injury.
His defensive pressure and energy was missed in an evenly matched encounter after having picked up five rebounds and two assists in just 14 minutes of play.
Lachy Beavis put in a huge effort coming off the bench landing 11 points, skipper Terrell Turner scored 10 points, had four assists and five rebounds.
Isaiah Ellis managed another double-double, scoring 14 points to go along with his 13 rebounds, three blocks and two steals.
Conversion proved the major difference with the Crusaders shooting at 48 per cent overall compared with Maitland's 40 per cent. From three-point range Central Coast landed 9-20 while the Mustangs could manage just 5-18
Former Mustang Mitch Rueter was particularly damaging landing four, three pointers in crucial stages.
- Full report to come