THE Bendigo Braves have endured consecutive defeats on their home court after Saturday night's eight-point loss to Mount Gambier Pioneers.
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Eyeing a chance for a 4-1 start to the season, Bendigo rued many missed shots from in the key, the foul line or three-point range.
After racing to an 8-2 lead early in the contest, the Braves were soon chasing as the Pioneers took control.
Mount Gambier led by two at quarter-time, six at half-time and by eight at a quarter to play.
A Pioneers attack led by Tom Daly, 24 points; Brad Hill, 13; captain Matt Sutton 11; Ben Allen and Jan Warbout on 10 apiece was able to respond to Bendigo's challenge.
Hopes of Braves' fans were raised when Dustin Salisbery drove to the key to score two points and then sunk a three-pointer to make it 69-63 in favour of the Pioneers at four minutes to go.
A run of three unanswered two-point baskets by the Pioneers snuffed any hope of a Bendigo victory.
At the final buzzer, Mt Gambier led 77-69.
Leading scorers for Bendigo were Salisbery 19, Michael Vigor 18, and Zach Atkinson 14.
Bendigo coach Ben Harvey said the performance was one of the most frustrating in his time at the club as a coach or player.
"We missed lay-ups, foul shots, and passes just way too many times," Harvey said.
":Lack of communication and our demeanour was poor.
"There was so much to play for, but the Pioneers were hungry for the contest.
"It hurts to know we can and have played so much better than this," said Harvey, who just four nights earlier watched the Braves win a hard-fought battle in Ballarat.
.After a break for Easter, the Braves head to Nunawading on April 26 to play the Spectres.