Defence shines in Bendigo wins 11 and 12

The Champions IGA Bendigo Braves Women stood up to finals-type pressure to secure two more NBL1 South wins on the weekend, and take their unbeaten run to 12.

They took on a talented Geelong side in a physical game at Red Energy Arena on Saturday night, blowing the visiting side away in the second half.

It was 34-all at half time, despite Meg McKay dominating inside with 15 points. But it was the Braves defence that saw them go into the final break up 62-54, as well as quality offence from Amy Atwell and Cassidy McLean.

The final term was all Atwell, with the Opals squad member hitting an astonishing 19 points in the quarter, as Bendigo ran out winners 92-75.

Atwell top scored with 32, McKay ended the night with 24, and Kelly Wilson recorded yet another double-double with 15 points and 10 assists.

It was an early morning for the Braves as they travelled to Ringwood on Sunday, Bendigo’s defence again proving almost impenetrable.

Bendigo went into the first break up by one, a lead that got out to 42-31 at half time after McKay’s 17 first-half points.

Bendigo’s lead blew out by a further six in the third quarter, and a 26-4 final term saw the Braves  home 88-49.

Remarkably, Bendigo held Ringwood to 26 points in the last three quarters.

Atwell topped off a phenomenal weekend with another 27 points and 14 rebounds, as did McKay, with 24 and 14.

Cassidy McLean was next best with 14 points, and yet another stunning defensive game.

For coach Mark Alabakov, the most important takeaway from the weekend was how well his team played defensively.

“This weekend made me proud of where we are as a team,” he said.

“We played two teams in the top five or six and performed brilliantly.

“We have been focusing on our defence a bit more this year, and what we showed on the weekend proves to me it’s paying off. It was true team defence.

“We were able to use both hard and soft pressure at the right time during both games. We showed we are a formidable defensive outfit.”

Alabakov was again full or praise for Atwell and McKay.

“Amy was outstanding. We have her in the team to lead and shoot, and she is doing both really well,” he said.

“The way Meg wins the ball, especially in a contest above her head is outstanding. I call her ‘She-Hulk’.

“She is so powerful and so strong and has an innate ability to play through physicality with toughness and touch.”

Photo - Craig Dilks Photography