Bendigo through to decider with tough win

The Champions IGA Bendigo Braves have won their way through to the NBL1 South Conference Final with a stunning come-from-behind win against Waverly Falcons at Red Energy Arena on Sunday afternoon.

Down by as much as 19 in the second quarter, Bendigo fought back hard and held their nerve against the star-studded Waverley Falcons.

Bendigo was down 19-27 at quarter time, with Waverley hitting the difficult shots the Braves defense was forcing them into, and Bendigo not converting at their end.

Bendigo’s season-defining inside game was being crowded out by the Falcon’s collapsing defense, with centre Megan McKay scoreless in the first quarter.

There were seeds of hope sown in the second term for Bendigo, with McKay dropping eight points from inside and Abbey Wehrung dominating on the perimeter and on the drive.

Despite that, Waverley increased their lead at half time by two.

Like the trees on the road on the way to the stadium, those seeds of hope blossomed for Bendigo in the third quarter.

Tess Madgen, Wehrung, and McKay took the game by the scruff of the neck, with Kelly Wilson superb in defense.

The 23-10 quarter put Bendigo up 64-61 at three quarter time. Like they had done all year, Bendigo weathered the storm and were ready to book their place in the Grand Final.

The last quarter was a slugfest between two quality teams, with Bendigo’s poise at the offensive end, and some key stops late in the game, proving the difference.

Bendigo ran out winners 79-76 and will play Ringwood in the Conference decider at the State Basketball Centre on Saturday at 5pm.

Madgen and Wehrung top scored with 23 points each. McKay ended the game with 18 points and 14 key rebounds.

The points in the key stat is one that has been a barometer of Bendigo’s success all season. Despite having only six in the first quarter and 20 in the first half, the Braves finished with 52, 32 coming in the second half. Waverley had 22 for the game.

“We just needed to have patience and courage, and we did,” coach Mark Alabakov said.

“We know in some games there may not be one tipping point, just an accumulation of things that seem to suddenly change the game.

“We knew if we moved the ball around a bit, drove and dished, and then drove and dished again, we would get the shots we wanted.

“Defensively, we tried to force Waverley into certain shot types, which we did, but they hit them more than we expected.”

Alabakov praised Wehrung for her four-quarter effort.

“Abbey was outstanding today,” he said.

“Her aggression in the key, her feeding of others, and her outside shooting were brilliant.”

Photo - Craig Dilks Photography