Bendigo roars into finals with big wins

Champions IGA Bendigo Braves Women warmed up for the NBL1 South finals series with two tough wins on the weekend.

They travelled to Kilsyth on Saturday night to take on a strong Cobras team. But Kilsyth was no match for the returning Tess Madgen, who dropped 40 points and eight assists in a performance that should solidify her MVP favouritism.

Megan McKay was strong inside against Opal Lauren Scherf, ending the game with 17 points despite getting into early foul trouble.

And Cassidy McLean continued her amazing season with 15 points. Big second and last quarters were enough for Bendigo to get the win 96-81.

The next day Bendigo travelled to Ballarat, and Bendigo was ready to play. The Braves led by as much as 26 in the second quarter, before Ballarat kicked into gear in the third.

Led by Jade Melbourne and Zitina Aokuso, the Miners got within four, before Bendigo stepped on the gas to win 96-87.

Madgen finished a remarkable weekend with another 30 points and nine assists. Abbey Wehrung (20 points) and McKay (18 points, 14 rebounds) proved too hard to stop for the Miners.     

 Coach Mark Alabakov said was happy with his team’s performance against two quality sides.

“Kilsyth has one of the best frontlines in the competition. And Ballarat threw the kitchen sink at us, he said.

“Ballarat was fighting for their finals lives and did whatever it took, including trying to get under our skin with a bit of trash talk.

“They came at us like a steam train in the third quarter. We did really well to overcome those situations in both games.”

Alabakov said it was the perfect hit out the week before finals.

“For us it was a weekend of overcoming adversity, of seeing how we reacted when different things were thrown at us,” he said.

“We know that’s what finals are going to be about. We have to understand what is happening, react, and respond. 

“We have to be alert and adaptable and focus on problem solving.”

Bendigo hosts Nunawading at Red Energy Arena at 5pm Saturday night for a place in the Preliminary Final.

Photo - Akuna Photography