A strong third quarter has helped the St Kilda Saints to a second win in three days.

Connor Coll’s inside presence proved key as the Saints beat the Andy Bay Falcons 85-72 in men’s club basketball on Saturday.

That followed an 89-67 win over the Magic Lions on Thursday.

The period after halftime proved key for the Saints on Saturday.

A close first half had given them a 41-39 lead, but the Falcons’ offence stalled after the break.

They were held to just 11 third-quarter points, the Saints preventing them getting to the hoop as they did in the first half.

At the other end, the Saints continued operating as they had done.

Point guard James Ross (17 points) attracted much of the defensive attention, but he facilitated well and helped the Saints keep scoring.

At the same time, offensive rebounds were hurting the smaller Falcons team.

Coll and Lawson Morris-Whyte used their strength there, while Coll also did damage from deep and hit four three-pointers in his 26-point haul.

The Saints led 67-50 at the end of the third quarter, but the Falcons launched a comeback.

The side began pressuring the Saints’ ball handlers and generating turnovers.

That helped the Falcons rediscover their scoring touch as they rapidly hauled in the deficit.

A bucket from Matt Brien (21 points) made it 70-66, but Coll answered with a three-pointer to stem the flow.

The Falcons remained in touch at that point, before a Vinnie Walker three-pointer stretched the lead beyond what they could pull in.

On Thursday, Ross (29 points) and big man Lawson Morris-Whyte (39 points) combined for 68 points to beat the Lions.

The duo produced some strong high-low and pick and roll actions to go on a 10-0 run early, forcing the Lions into a time-out.

Lions’ forwards Tai Porima-Flavell and Adam Van Heezik started a push-back, but the Saints led 25-22 at the end of the first.

Ross began to have a heavy impact on the offence as the Saints restored their double-digit lead in the second quarter.

They came out with added aggression in the third, Morris-Whyte’s inside presence helping the Saints to a 22-point win.

The match was the first of nine Thursday matches, one to be played each week throughout the season.

It leaves the Saints in second place with four wins, although they have played an extra game.

In other matches on Saturday, the Mid City Magic remained unbeaten with an 85-72 win over an under-strength City Rise Bombers side.

Varsity notched its second win when it beat the Magic Lions 86-75.

 - Additional reporting Harry Thorp

A Reserve Grade Results

St Kilda Dragons 72 def 69 Magic Muddogs

OB’s Elite 93 def 72 Andy Bay Falcons 3

Varsity Blue 63 def 59 City Rise Bombers B

Varsity Thunder 86 def 71 Andy Bay Falcons 2

B Grade Results

St Kilda Tropics 62 def 37 Andy Bay Falcons Red

South Pac Kings 84 def 40 St Kilda Raiders

Varsity Comets 64 def 54 Magic Vipers

OB’s Too 63 def 56 South Pac Kavanagh

AB Falcons White 79 def 48 AB Falcons Blue