BENDIGO Braves have missed an opportunity to improve their record beyond the 50 per cent mark with a tough loss to Ballarat Miners.
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Played in front of a big crowd at Ballarat's Minerdome, the Braves were unable to capitalise on an even first-half, going down 87-73.
The Braves were outscored 40-26 in the second half after scores at the main break were tied at 47.
Dyami Starks led the Braves with 23 points and seven rebounds, while C.J. Aiken (14 points and 11 rebounds) was the only other player to hit double figures.
Point guard Adam Doyle and Daniel Hansen were next best with nine points.
Craig Moller (25 points, 10 rebounds) and import Davi Usher (19 poiints, 13 rebounds) had big games for the Miners.
Miners coach Eric Hayes said his side's ability to get multiple stops in a row had prevented Bendigo from getting into an offensive rhythm, but the team still needed to work on making it difficult for the opposition to score 80-points.
“In the first half we gave up 47 (points) and in the second half 26 so we want to be on that 26 side for both halves,” he said.
Unlike last year's national championship winning season when the Braves regularly held sides under 74 points, they again gave up much more against the Miners.
The Braves also conceded 99 in an eight-point win on Friday night against Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence.
The road ahead sees the Braves in Tasmania next weekend for games against Hobart and North West Tasmania.
