THE Bendigo Bank Braves achieved a winning double in the weekend's trek to Canberra for South East Australia Basketball League clashes with the Gunners and Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence.
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In games of fluctuating fortunes, Bendigo's big lead against Canberra was whittled dramatically in the final term of Saturday night's clash.
The Braves showed plenty of mental toughness beat BA CoE in overtime.
The young guns from the Centre of Excellence held a 16-point lead in the third quarter, but the Braves turned the contest through defensive intercepts, strong rebounds at both ends of the court, and some crucial shots.
Bendigo coach Ben Harvey was rapt with the team's play on what was a huge weekend for the club.
"Canberra gave us a scare in the last quarter," Harvey said of the Gunners' fightback from a 15-point deficit at the start of the last term to be within a point at 25 seconds to go in regular time.
The Braves steadied to seal a 93-88 victory.
Best for the Braves were Grant Johnson 28 points; Tony Lewis 26 points and 14 rebounds; Michael Vigor 19 points; and Jordan Vandenberg 11 points.
Canberra's attack was led by Ben Allen on 28 points and 11 rebounds as Nnaebuka Anyaorah added 17.
The clash with CoE at the AIS Training Hall was a thriller.
Just 40 seconds into the last term the Braves trailled 71-55.
There were many contributors as Bendigo struck back.
A Josh Wilcher three-pointer made it 77-all at 1:48 on the lock.
A Vigor three-pointer put Bendigo in front at 28 seconds to play.
CoE equalised when a Dejan Vasiljevic shot from the three-point arc went in.
Bendigo had one more scoring attempt, but it was askew.
The Braves dominated extra time, 13-4, to seal a 93-84 victory.
Bendigo is at home next Saturday to play Mt Gambier. The night's action tips off with the women's match against Geelong at 6pm.
