Andrew Gaze turned back the clock and inspired the Melbourne Tigers to a 17-point victory over Townsville in the NBL match at the State Netball and Hockey Centre.

The Tigers overcame a scratchy first half to beat Townsville 112-95.

Gaze's third quarter was a blinder, shooting 12 points to inspire his teammates against a Crocodiles outfit who earlier did little wrong and capitalised on a sloppy start from the Tigers to take a three-point lead at halftime.

Gaze finished the match with 28 points.

Not that the Tigers were ever out of the contest but with Gaze and fellow veteran Mark Bradtke starting the second half with four personal fouls each, the Tigers needed something special to salvage the match.

Younger guns Dave Thomas (20 points and 12 rebounds) and Stephen Hoare (18 points and nine rebounds) boosted their work rates to push the game out of the Crocodiles' reach.

Townsville centre Casey Calvary caused the biggest headache for the Tigers, shooting 25 points and pulling down seven rebounds, while Robert Brown hit 19 points.

Melbourne had lost its first match of the weekend 95-88 to the Hunter Pirates on Friday night.

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