THE club record-breaking 332nd game for Chris Hogan at Bendigo Bank Braves basketball club was just inches away from being a victorious one in Saturday night's clash with Mount Gambier Pioneers.
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At the end of a contest in which the lead changed 16 times, Mt Gambier celebrated an 87-86 victory on the Bendigo Stadium showcourt.
Although it was not the "dream finish" for Hogan and his team-mates, Braves' coach Ben Harvey said to push such a powerful team for so long would lift confdence.
"A loss like this really hurts," Harvey said.
The match mirrored a lot of Bendigo's season in which momentum swung for, against and back again.
From 10-all halfway through the first quarter, Mt Gambier won the next five minutes 20-9 as Tom Daly, nine points, and Tyrone Lee, eight, dominated play.
In the second it was the Braves who fought back brilliantly through Hogan (2), Tony Lewis (6) and Kevin Probert (3).
A 9-0 run by Bendigo featured all points being racked up by Grant Johnson as the Braves gained a four-point lead.
A miraculous shot by Erik Burdon from near the halfway line swished through the net right on the half-time buzzer as Bendigo led 49-48 at the break of a thrilling contest.
At the end of a closely-fought third quarter, the Pioneers led 71-69.
Halfway through the last and Mt Gambier led by 10 after Bendigo had added just one point.
It was soon "game on" as Lewis (3), Michael Vigor (2) and Hogan (3) were on target.
The Pioneers struck back through Damian Johnson.
The other Johnson, Grant sunk a three-pointer which had the crowd roaring.
A three-point play by Lee and then another three-point shot by Lewis made it 85-84 in favour of the Pioneers at 22 seconds to go.
A Kevin Probert steal on an inbound pass at halfway was capped by him driving to the basket and scoring to put Bendigo in front.
Mt Gambier regained the lead through Lee.
Grant Johnson had the last shot, but it was off target.
