Bendigo Women push through absences

The Champions IGA Bendigo Braves Women split their double header on the weekend, as they continue their patchwork-quilt style of play in the leadup to the NBL1 South finals.

With Amy Atwell and Meg McKay unavailable for both games, and Alex Wilson playing one, coach Mark Alabakov was again forced into the deepest reaches of his creativity against the Melbourne Tigers and Eltham Wildcats.

The Tigers came out flying at Melbourne on Friday night, dropping threes from everywhere to lead 24-10 part way through the first term.

As they have done all season, Bendigo hit back, halving that lead by the first break on the back of 10 points from Alex Wilson.

The Braves took that momentum into the second quarter, leading by the halfway mark of the term and creating multiple turnovers.

The Braves led by four at three quarter time and controlled the game in the last term to run out winners 68-64.

Kelly Wilson again stood up when it mattered to finish with 22 points and nine assists. Alex Wilson (14 points). Cassidy McLean (12), and Caitlin Richardson (11) were Bendigo’s other main contributors.

Bendigo backed up at Red Energy Arena on Saturday night to take on Eltham, one of the teams the Braves are jammed together with in the middle of the table.

The Wildcats’ shooting power and quality talls, mixed in with player unavailability, meant Alabakov had to switch things up a bit, starting young star Jess Mangan for the first time.

Another slow start saw Bendigo down 9-18 at quarter time and 28-42 at the half. That lead extended by six by the final break, the game finishing 73-86.

Coach Alabakov said facing two high-quality shooting sides tested his team.

“Melbourne is the most dangerous three-point team in the league. They showed us how potent they can be in the first five minutes,” he said.

“We drilled back into to what we have been focusing on and held them to 38 points for the final three quarters.

“They didn’t make a three-point shot after half time. We held them to less than their average makes and their average shots, which was pleasing.

“We weren’t pretty offensively, but we did whatever we could do to get over the line. We have had to be a bit of a patchwork quilt at times this season, with players playing roles they don’t usually do.

“Eltham are second in the comp when it comes to threes, and they shot at more than 50 per cent beyond the arc to beat Sandringham the night before.

“But we weren’t able to stem their dribble penetration. One of the benefits of being undersized is you can be faster on the floor, but it can be really costly in defense if the ball gets into the post or pick and roll.”

Bendigo again shot at around 20 per cent from beyond the arc, something Alabakov said is costing his team at times.

“We missed a lot of free throws, shot at 20 per cent from threes and missed a lot of layups. We are creating plenty of shots, but it’s difficult when we don’t make them,” he said.

“We are getting plenty of opportunities and I’m confident it will click.

“I thought Cassidy McLean and Kelly Wilson were exceptional this weekend.

“It was also great to give Jess Mangan her first career start start. It was a great reward for a local kid who has been giving really good service.

“She is our best on-ball screener at the moment.”

Photo - Craig Dilks Photography