RENOWNED for her sweet shooting, Kelly Wilson's defensive efforts played a big part in the Champions IGA Bendigo Lady Braves fight to win Sunday's basketball showdown with Frankston Blues.
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At three minutes to go in the third quarter, Bendigo faced a 10-point deficit at Bendigo Stadium.
The Lady Braves put the defensive clamps on and then started to score freely through Stacia Robertson (2), Stephanie Bairstow (3), and Kelly Wilson (2) to be within three at a quarter to play.
When a Kelly Wilson jump shot went swish through the basket the match was 48-all.
A few seconds later Wilson put Bendigo in front.
The Blues equalised through Kelly Bowen and then gained a five-point lead as Emily Fryters (2) and Kate Gaze (3) were on target.
Bendigo struck back through Tessa Lavey (2) and Kelly Wilson (3) and a three-pointer by Lavey regained the lead.
Another three by Gaze set up a dramatic finish in which Bendigo steadied to clinch a 65-62 victory.
Lady Braves coach Jonathan Goodman said the experience of Kelly Wilson and Jane Chalmers was crucial.
"We shot at just 26 per cent from a lot of good looks at the basket in the first half.
"Kelly Wilson led the way and her defensive efforts were followed by others," Goodman said of match-high 25 points.
Bairstow, 15, and Lavey, 11, were the other leading scorers.
Lady Braves' guard Kerryn Harrington injured an elbow.
