On a night in which Bendigo celebrated the 30-year reunion of its 1988 men’s championship, the Braves women improved to 19-0 with an 88-71 victory over the Frankston Blues at the Bendigo Stadium on Friday.

The highlight of Bendigo’s win was a stellar passing game from star point guard Kelly Wilson, who was at her play-making best.

Having gone into the match averaging 11.3 assists per game, Wilson took her output to another level against the Blues.

Wilson dished out 22 assists, including 14 in the first half.

“Full credit to Kelly… 22 assists would have to be a record you’d think,” Braves women’s coach Megan Moody said.

“The great thing about Kelly is she is so selfless. She could easily be out there scoring 15 to 20 points herself, but she plays for her team and does what her team needs.

“She has played that extra-pass role well this year and has been really creative.”

The Braves women raced to an 11-2 advantage inside the first two-and-a-half minutes and by half-time were more than 20 points in front as they led 54-33.

A lacklustre third quarter allowed the Blues to cut the margin back to single figures, before Bendigo regained the ascendancy in the final term to pull back away for the 17-point victory.

All 11 players who took to the court for Bendigo scored led by Nadeen Payne (19), Kara Tessari (17), Gabe Richards (16) and Bianca Dufelmeier (11) in double figures.

Richards also hauled down 10 rebounds, while Tessari’s 17 points included five three-pointers.

Tahnee Cannan had two points and three assists in her 100^th game.

The last hurdle to completing an unbeaten regular season for the Braves’ women is Saturday night on the road at Nunawading (13-6), which is third on the ladder.

“It would be fantastic to finish the regular season unbeaten, but at the end of the day all we’re focused on is making sure we’re there at the end in the championship game,” Moody said.

“Nunawading is going to be playing for a home final, so we know it’s going to be a tough game.”

Meanwhile, it has taken until the second last game of the regular season, but the Bendigo Braves men have guaranteed their finals berth.

The Braves’ 86-70 victory over Frankston that improved their record to 11-8 locked up their finals return.

Braves’ star Jeremy Kendle drained five three-pointers in his game-high 29 points, while Ray Turner added 17 points and Chris Hogan 12.

The Braves were well in control of the game at half-time when they led 50-33.

The Braves men also play Nunawading on Saturday.