Having re-built momentum in their season off the back of three wins in a row, the Braves suffered their first loss on the Bendigo Stadium’s new showcourt when beaten 88-75 by Geelong.

In a game the Braves spent the bulk of playing catch-up, they cut what had been an 11-point deficit early in the last quarter back to five with five minutes left.

However, the Braves’ last five minutes were marred by ball-handling errors as they committed four turnovers, allowing the Supercats to pull away and win by 13.

“We really didn’t execute the basics well late in the game and lost our composure… we didn’t pass the ball well and defensively, we allowed them to score easy buckets all night with their 48 points in the paint,” Harvey said.

“I was really disappointed with the way we lost focus in what was a huge game for us with the chance to get back into the top four.”

The game was disrupted for 20 minutes during the third quarter after the Bendigo Stadium fire alarm was set off, forcing an evacuation.

Geelong was leading 56-50 at the time with 2:30 left in the quarter.

“We had a bit of momentum when that happened and it’s obviously not ideal, but it is what it is… both teams had to deal with it,” Harvey said.

“But there’s no doubt it was a bit of a downer because a lot of fans left the game.”

Import Ray Turner led the Braves with 21 points and 19 rebounds – 11 defensive and eight offensive – while Indiana Faithfull (20) and Jeremy Kendle (16) were the only other Bendigo players to score in double figures.

With five games left in the regular season the Braves are now 9-6 and in sixth position.

Meanwhile, the Champions IGA Bendigo Braves women continued on their winning ways in Sydney on Saturday night.

The Braves women retained their perfect record that is now 15-0 following their 89-71 victory over the Sydney Uni Sparks.

It was the Braves women’s fourth game in eight days and followed a hard-fought four-point win over defending champions Geelong in Bendigo the previous night.

“I’m really proud of the girls… this was our second double-header weekend in a row and after a tough game against Geelong on Friday night we were up at 6am Saturday to travel to Sydney,” coach Megan Moody said.

“To back up the way we did in what was a really physical, fast-paced game and stick together against a side that threw everything at us, it was a fantastic result.”

The victory was spearheaded by another a strong all-round game from scoring machine Nadeen Payne, who combined 28 points (three three-pointers) with 14 rebounds to record her fifth double-double of the season.

Kelly Wilson’s 18 points and 11 assists was her 10^th double-double of what has been a superb season, while Moody was full of praise for the defensive efforts of Kara Tessari (10 points).

Ash Karaitiana (12) and Gabe Richards (10) also scored in double figures.

Both Braves teams are back at the Bendigo Stadium this Saturday night.

The women take on Launceston (10-6) from 6pm and the men meet North West Tasmania (9-7) at 8pm.

In the lead up to the Victorian state election on November 24, Fairfax Media is giving you the chance to have your say about issues that matter to you.

Your answers will help shape our coverage.

Take our anonymous survey, here: