NO TESSA Lavey and still no Becca Tobin.
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But that didn't stop the Bendigo Braves women from posting their fourth-straight victory to start the NBL1 season against Kilsyth Cobras on Saturday night.
Led by another standout performance for team co-captain Gabe Richards, who ended the night with 28 points and 12 points, the Braves overcame a tough Cobras 70-64.
The margin was just two points at half time.
Richards was well supported by Kelly Wilson (15 points, 11 assists, four rebounds), Nadeen Payne (17 points, five assists) and Andrea Wilson (eight points, six rebounds).
The Braves were without point guard Lavey, who is away at an Australian Opals camp, while import Tobin is yet to join the team as she continues her playoff commitments with German club Rutronik Stars Keltern.
Clare Camac was best for Kilsyth with 21 points and six rebounds, while Bendigo Spirit star Kara Tessari had an uncharacteristic off night with four points on one-from-11 shooting from the floor.
Next-up for the Braves women is Launceston Tornadoes, who defeated Hobart Huskies 105-94 on Saturday to move their record to 1-2.
Meanwhile, the Braves men sunk to a third straight defeat after falling 90-100 to the Cobras.
Import Ray Turner top scored with 20 points and hauled in 13 rebounds as a 18-31 third quarter proved their downfall.
A major plus for the Braves was the productivity of their bench, with Matt Bartlett scoring 19 points, Jake Cowling adding 13 and Jake Lloyd knocking in 11.
Import Deonta Burton had a quieter game than last Saturday against Ballarat Miners and finished with 11 points, four assists and three rebounds.
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