The Gators trailed by three points against Keysborough at quarter-time and led by the same margin at the main break.
They were still in the contest at the final change as scores were level at 65-apiece, before a strong finish from the home side allowed it to run out an 88-80 winner.
Gators coach Josh Waight said he was pleased with his team's effort across the entire match.
“We took it right up to them,” Waight said.
“We focused on competing for 40 minutes and I thought we did that.
“It was pleasing to stop their momentum when they did get a run on."
The Gators shared the scoring effort, with Nick Dodd topping the charts with 19 points, Matt Bartlett adding 18 and Dylan Wayman (16) and Thomas Frame (14) also scoring double figures and Waight said it was something he expected every week.
“We keep harping on that (sharing the scoring load),” Waight said.
“It was pleasing to see that on Saturday night and we need to be making sure we continue to do that and not rely on one person to score.”
Despite the threat of Jacob Lampkin (five points) in the lead-up, it was Ben Morwood (24 points) and Ivan Platenik (18 points and 13 rebounds) who took the match away from the 5-7 Gators.
Waight said Dodd and Sam Beks played key roles on their opponents.
“Nick Dodd kept him (Lampkin) to five points, which was fantastic,” he said.
“Ivan is a classy player and Sam Beks did a good job forcing him into tough spots, but unfortunately he was good enough to shoot those."
The Gators face another stern test this weekend, with the Shepparton outfit hosting Corio Bay, which sits in third place with an 8-4 record.
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