BENDIGO Braves coach Ben Harvey has again sung the praises of his team's defence after winning both legs of a Canberra road double on the weekend.
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The Braves, who improved their record to 6-1, held the Canberra Gunners to a mere 59 points on Saturday night and then restricted the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence to 60 in a 15 point win on Sunday.
The impressive efforts came a week after the east conference leaders contained one of the SEABL's highest scoring teams, Albury-Wodonga, to just 55 points.
Harvey said Saturday night's 97-59 win against Canberra was one of the Braves' best performances in a long time.
"I see Canberra as a top three team, but we just outperformed them," he said.
"We didn't expect to win by 38 points, but we stuck to our game plan, especially on defence.
"We wanted to keep them under 76 (points), we've kept them to 59 and we scored nearly 100 points.
"It was almost a perfect game for us.
"(Sunday) wasn't the case, the young COE boys really took it at us. We did get challenged, but I'm really happy with the team performance.
"Guys are stepping up each week and we are not relying on just one person.
"We are relying on the whole team to be a big part of our group and that's why we are 6-1 right now."
The Braves sit win one win ahead of the second-placed Brisbane Spartans (5-3), having played one game fewer.
It was almost a perfect game for us (v Canberra).
- Ben Harvey
Dandenong Rangers (3-3) and Nunawading Spectres (3-4) round out the top four.
In the south conference, Hobart Chargers (5-1) lead the defending national champions Mount Gambier Pioneers (5-1) on percentage.
The Braves' next assignment is against the Andrew Gaze-coached Melbourne Tigers on Saturday night at Bendigo Stadium.
Meanwhile, a week's break has come at an opportune time for the Bendigo Lady Braves, who are nursing a bunch of injuries.
The team split its weekend road double defeating the Canberra Capitals 85-58 and losing to the COE 75-85.
Star Lady Brave Elyse Penaluna did not play on the weekend with a knee injury, while guard Jane Chalmers did not feature in the weekend's second game after injuring herself the day before.
They lost guard Charlie Brancatisano in the second quarter against the COE and also had Caitlin McLachlan and Ash Stonehouse on reduced playing time.
Coach Jonathon Goodman said it was hoped Penaluna was not far off from returning.
"She has to have another check-up this week to see where she's at," he said.
"The more time she has out the closer she is to getting out on court really.
"It would have been nice to have her size given the Centre of Excellence had 6'5", 6'6", 6'3" (players), it would have been nice to throw a 6'5" player in there.
"To only lose the rebound count by two, the girls played their hardest. It really was a tremendous effort."
Goodman said Keely Froling had again showed great leadership, while his young players including Jess Rennie, Maddie Sexton and Alex Strawhorn had all stepped up when it counted.