The Bendigo Braves had the perfect finish to their round three double-header weekend with four consecutive victories.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
To start it all off the Braves had an away match against regional Victorian rivals Ballarat.
First up on court at the Ballarat Sports and Entertainment centre were the Braves women who secured a seven-point win over the Rush, final scores 74-67.
The Braves were down 13 points to the Rush at half-time, but after the break they came out firing to claw back the lead.
A shooting spree in the second half outscored the Rush in both of the final quarters to upstage their opponents at home and put their name back on the winner's board after their recent round two loss to Frankston.
The Braves' dominance was helped with top scoring from Tess Madgen and Kate Oliver each with 18 points, followed by Cassidy McLean on 12.
The Rush's best were Kasey Burton and Kristy Rinaldi each with 15 points.
The Braves men had one of the toughest battles of the 2021 NBL1 season so far against the Ballarat Miners.
The opening term was fairly even with the scores near level at quarter time, but the Braves returned to the court scoring a mammoth 30 points to the Miners' eight to lead by 23 at the main break.
However, the Miners returned serve in the third to bring the deficit down and by the end of the final quarter the scores were level at 69 each to send the game into overtime.
It was during the extra term that the Braves were able to reassert their control over the Miners, outscoring them 16-11 to win the game 85-80
Ray Turner put a wholesome 27 points on the board paired with 10 rebounds, while Nelson Larkins impressed with 23 points and five rebounds.
Miners' best were William Hickey with 27 points and 13 rebounds, followed by Matt Kenyon with 17 and 12 rebounds.
After the match in Ballarat on Saturday night the Braves headed straight home in preparation to hit the court again for the second leg of the double-header weekend against the Dandenong Rangers at the Bendigo Stadium.
The Braves women were first up against the Rangers and continued with the strong momentum from the night before to secure their second victory of the weekend.
They asserted their dominance over the Rangers, outscoring their opponents at each quarter to secure a more than comfortable 28-point win.
Madgen showed the league her incredible scoring ability with an astounding 43 points, nine rebounds and nine assists.
Next best was Oliver with 18 points and 14 rebounds, followed by Abbey Wehrung with 15 points and six rebounds.
The Rangers best were Dallas Loughbridge with 17 points and Emilee Harmon on 15.
The Braves women now move to a 3-1 record ahead of next week's fourth round.
The men's game against the Rangers was all tied at 19 points each at the end of the first.
The gameplay remained much the same in the second quarter with the scores tight, but it was the Rangers ahead by one point 41-40.
In the third term the scoring was back-and-forth between the teams, but it was the Braves trailing by two points heading into the deciding quarter.
With just 24 seconds left on the clock and the scores tied at 89 each, Bendigo had possession and one play to prevent their second overtime match of the weekend.
A masterful successful drive to the basket by Turner capped off the game to see the Braves ahead by two, final scores 91-89
Turner was the Braves' top scorer with 33 points and 14 rebounds.
The Braves men now move to a 3-1 record.
The Braves will now host the Melbourne Tigers for round four on Saturday night at the Bendigo Stadium.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:
- Bookmark bendigoadvertiser.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter @BgoAddy
- Follow us on Instagram @bendigoadvertiser
- Join us on Facebook
- Follow us on Google News