Faced with a nine-point deficit in the early minutes of the final quarter, Bendigo went on a 13-0 run.

Superb defence played a big part in the Braves achieving an 85-76 victory.

On a night the Braves celebrated their 30th birthday, many of the championship-winning stars of yesteryear, including coach Wayne Larkins, were courtside at Bendigo Stadium.

At three quarter-time Ballarat was in control, 70-63.

The Miners were first to score in what became a remarkable final quarter through Gregory Thondique.

Bendigo then seized control at both ends of the court.

Baskets by Grant Johnson (2), Josh Wilcher (3), Tony Lewis (2), Johnson (2), Kevin Probert (2) levelled the match at 72-all.

An alley oop by Johnson from a Probert assist put Bendigo in front.

A two-point jump shot by Taylor Bell increased the lead to four.

Ballarat struck back through Thondique, but Bell was on target once again.

Johnson and Chris Hogan scored from the foul-line as the Braves opened an eight-point lead.

Ballarat’s leading scorer Roy Booker added two more, but they were to the Miners’ final points of the contest.

Bendigo coach Ben Harvey said the effort to keep Ballarat to six points in a quarter was outstanding.

“Even when we were nine down I had not given up hope,” Harvey said.

“We have fought back in a lot of matches this year, we haven’t won every time, but there’s a lot of fight in this group.

“Defence plays such a big part in the game.

“In the last quarter we were able to get 15 stops. The aim is 10.”

Although his stats were not high, Taylor Bell’s earned high praise from the coach.

“Taylor was outstanding.

“His defensive pressure and team defence was inspirational.”

Guards Kevin Probert and Josh Wilcher also played crucial roles.

The workrate by the Braves on 50-50 plays was significant.

“Efforts to win the loose ball, defensive or offensive rebounds, a tap to knock the ball away from an opponent, or diving on the ball were excellent.”

Bendigo’s attack was led by Tony Lewis, 34 points and 16 rebounds; Johnson 19; and Wilcher 12.

Ballarat’s best were Booker, 28 points and five rebounds; Everard Bartlett, 14 points; and Thondique, 13 points.

Key players in the Bendigo-Ballarat history - Ben Harvey and Andrea Walsh, Eric Hayes and David Flint are coaches and assistant coaches respectively at the Braves and Miners.