Echuca Basketball Stadium was the venue for the back-and-forth Sunday afternoon clash, which saw the Pirates leading with fewer than three minutes on the clock, before the Wolves showed the composure necessary to close out in clutch time.
The Pirates connected well in the opening minutes and led for most of the first quarter, but the Wolves would eventually take control, a Charlie Maher three on the buzzer sending them into the sheds five to the good.
Newton took over coming out of the break, scoring the first six of the second and his team’s first nine of the period.
Wodonga was up 10, but Joey Mizzi put Echuca on his back, scoring on four consecutive trips down the floor to cut the lead to one and prompt a Wolves timeout.
It was neck-and-neck heading into the half, with Wodonga clinging to a nervous two-point lead at the break.
Newton scored 16 in the period.
The sides remained in lockstep through the third, setting up a grandstand finish as Wodonga led by five heading into the last.
The Pirates closed the gap in the fourth, and with 2:56 on the clock, Mizzi gave his side the lead 77-76.
However, it wasn’t to be Echuca’s day, and a 9-2 run put Wodonga in control in the final minute, from where they held on for an 87-79 win.
Newton’s aforementioned 32 carried his team for large portions, while Mateo Hanley (17) was a vital scorer down the stretch.
Mizzi led the Pirates with 19, with Oscar Jones (13) and Mitchell Markby (11) also reaching double figures.
The Pirates are 2-6 with two fixtures remaining in their season.
Echuca will travel to Shepparton for an 8pm tip-off against the Gators this Saturday, before ending its season at home on November 22, taking on the Albury Cougars.
24°C