Geelong Supercats outpoint Bendigo Braves in national championship grand final

By Adam Bourke
Updated November 7 2012 - 2:44am, first published August 29 2010 - 12:04pm

Symes Motors Bendigo Braves coach Ben Harvey has vowed his side will be even better in 2011.The Braves went down to the Geelong Supercats 95-82 in the SEABL championship game at MSAC on Saturday night.The defeat stung the east conference champions, with Harvey to use the experience as inspiration for next season.“We had a lot of opportunities, but it just wasn’t our night,’’ Harvey said.‘‘Full credit to Geelong, they’re a great side. Our boys didn’t give up all night and we fought it out to the end.“We had a great year in winning the east conference and I know we can be even better next year.“It would be great to get another crack at this game next year.’’The Supercats were just too polished for the Braves.Bendigo stayed in striking distance all night, but every time it looked like mounting a serious challenge the Supercats came up with a big play.In the first half it was Nathan Herbert (17 points, nine rebounds) who drained some clutch shots, while in the second half, game MVP Ismail Muhammad (21 points, six rebounds) put a dagger through the Braves’ hearts.Despite constant attention from Braves star Luke Meyer, Muhammad made two very tough fadeaway jump shots in the final quarter that took the stuffing out of Bendigo.Offensively, the Supercats were much more efficient.They shot the ball at 47 per cent compared to Bendigo’s 34.Geelong point guard Braith Cox (13 points, five assists and four rebounds) was instrumental in the win in the second half.His penetration off the dribble allowed easy points for Daniel George (12 points, 10 rebounds) and J’Nathan Bullock (17 points, six rebounds).While Geelong dominated in the paint (46 points to 32), Bendigo’s fate was decided behind the three-point line.Out of the 76 field goal attempts the Braves took for the game, 32 of them were three-pointers.They only made nine of the 32, with Chris Hogan (17 points) and Meyer (18 points) combining for eight of those nine.Guards Warren Randall and Kevin Probert had nights to forget, combining for 0-10 from behind the three-point line.Braves centre Ivan McFarlin was hampered by foul trouble, but still managed a team-high 20 points and 17 rebounds.The Supercats did a good job of denying McFarlin the ball in the low post and forced the Braves guards to take low percentage shots.“Offensive rebounds killed us tonight,’’ Harvey said.“We had more than enough chances to win the game.“A few 50-50 things didn’t go our way and we struggled to make a few shots.“It’s very disappointing to finish like this, but I’m really proud of the guys.’’McFarlin and Meyer have re-signed for 2011, while Harvey expects most of his core group to stay at the club.

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