WAVERLEY Falcons went one-up in their Big V State Championship men’s semi-final series against Diamond Valley after a thrilling come-from-behind three-point win on Saturday night.

The Falcons were 13 points down, late in the second quarter, and started the third term eight points in arrears.

The lead changed hands several times before the Falcons held on to win, 69-66, at the Waverley Basketball Centre.

They will advance to the best-of-three Grand Final series with a win in either Game 2 or 3 against the Wildcats at the Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre this weekend.

“It was a hard-fought win,” Falcons coach Eric Minerve said.

“The fellas persisted and there were a lot of highs and lows.

“As a result of their persistence, they were in a position to win at the end of the game.

“I think the win will instil some confidence in them for the rest of the series.”

Ivan Platenik led Waverley’s scoring, with 16 points, and he also grabbed 14 rebounds, with 12 coming in defence.

Simon Blennerhassett and Sedale Threatt both contributed 13 points.

After shooting at just 23.5 per cent efficiency during the first quarter, the Falcons averaged 42.5 per cent from the field across the remaining three quarters.

“We hit some big shots and we gained some confidence and momentum through knocking down those shots,” Minerve said.

“We stepped up our defensive intensity as well.

“It was a good performance.”

Meanwhile, the Waverley women lost to arch-nemesis Hume City, by three points, in the opening game of their semi-final series at Broadmeadows Basketball Stadium.

The Falcons fell short after a late rally, midway through the final quarter, as the Broncos won, 73-70.

The visitors trailed by 10 points with just over four minutes of the match remaining and closed to within two inside the final minute.

The Falcons had a better spread of goalscoring contributors with Laura Thomas leading the way with 14 points.

Other contributors were Suzi Porter (13 points), Alex Lough (12 points, six assists) and Tess Feery (11 points, eight rebounds, four assists).

Game 2 will be played at the Waverley Basketball Centre on Saturday with Game 3, if required, at the same venue the following day.