MELTON Thoroughbreds set out to test whether Mildura's American import Kevin Smith could carry the Heat on his back in the Big V Division three grand final series. Forty-six points and 11 rebounds later they had their answer.

Smith shot his almost half-century haul at 66per cent from the field as Mildura won game one of the best-of-three grand final series, 74-68, at Melton Indoor Recreation Centre on Saturday.

Melton now travels to Mildura knowing only back-to-back wins on the Heat's home court will be good enough to take out a maiden premiership. Only one other Heat player made it to 10 points on Saturday as Melton wrestled with the lead, only to fall off the pace and into foul trouble in the dying stages.

Martin Pietrykowski (16 points, 18 rebounds), Peter Leppik (10 rebounds) and Matt Deppeler all fouled out in the final four minutes. Mildura held firm from the free-throw line and Melton couldn't get key shots to fall.

Melton went 12-25 from the foul line and paid the price, while only Jordan Kirk (14 points) reached 50per cent from the field on a bad shooting night.

"We had to do things a bit different with the big guys fouling out in the dying minutes," Thoroughbreds coach Kyle Slack said. "We weren't consistent enough and Smith just didn't seem to miss. We made sure everyone had a tough night for Mildura, but the big players make the big shots.

"Matt Deppeler couldn't find the bucket; Luke Cavanagh finished with 10 - we put those guys back up near their averages and we're in the game.

"We're still confident we can beat them. We were sub-par and right with Mildura."

Game two of the grand final series tips off in Mildura at 7pm on Saturday. Game three will be played at noon on Sunday if required.