Warrandyte Venom rally past McKinnon Cougars in Big V League thriller

The Warrandyte Venom staged a strong second-half comeback to defeat the McKinnon Cougars 95–87 in an Australia Big V League clash on July 4, 2026, at the Cougars' home venue. The Venom's resilience and clutch shooting in the final quarter sealed an important road win.

Match overview

McKinnon came out firing, building a 12-point lead in the first half behind hot shooting from their guards. The Cougars led 50–42 at the break, but Warrandyte adjusted defensively in the third quarter, forcing five turnovers and converting them into easy baskets. The Venom took their first lead since early in the game with 5:32 remaining in the fourth and never looked back.

Key performers

• Warrandyte Venom: The Venom's small forward was unstoppable in the second half, scoring 22 of his game-high 28 points after intermission. The center also contributed 14 points and 12 rebounds, anchoring the paint on both ends.
• McKinnon Cougars: Two Cougar starters finished with 20 points each, but the team's depth was exposed as the bench managed only 9 points. Fatigue down the stretch contributed to defensive breakdowns.

Momentum shift

The turning point came early in the fourth quarter when Warrandyte went on a 10–2 run, capped by a steal and a highlight-reel dunk that swung the energy fully in their favor. McKinnon called timeout but could not stem the tide, as the Venom's confidence grew with each possession.

The victory improves Warrandyte's record in the Big V League to 8–7, while McKinnon drops to 7–8. Both teams remain in the middle of the standings, making every matchup critical as the season progresses.