NW Thunder takes the win at home

Story by NBL1 SOUTH 

North West Tasmania Thunder (98) defeated Ballarat Miners (95)

It was a huge three-pointer from Ben Woolley with just under a minute to play that proved crucial in the North West Tasmania Thunder beating the Ballarat Miners 98-95 in a Friday night thriller.

North West were back home at Mazda BT-50 Thunder Stadium hosting a Miners team having won their past two games and the two teams combined for 55 points in the first quarter.

It was the Thunder narrowly leading 29-26 by half-time and the home team did push out to an eight-point lead in another high-scoring second period.

North West went into the half-time break leading 60-53 with the lead getting out to a game-high 10 points in the third frame, but Ballarat continued to stay in touch and that set up a thrilling finish.

Nick Stoddart even put Ballarat in front early in the final period but Seth Swalve soon restored North West to the lead when he knocked down a three-pointer.

Each time in the last term when the Thunder threatened to pull away, the Miners came up with a big play including when Tyler Rudolph hit a three-pointer with just under six minutes on the clock.

Majok Majok then put the Miners back on top before Tre Armstrong responded with a three ball for North West.

In the end with just under a minute to play, it was a triple from Ben Woolley on the find from Swalve following a Luke Rosendale turnover for Ballarat that was the decisive shot of the contest.

The Thunder went on to win by three from there to improve to 2-4 on the season with Tre Armstrong top-scoring with 18 points and three rebounds on shooting 4/6 from three-point territory.

Sekou Sylla added 16 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and four steals with Seth Swalve contributing 16 points, five boards and five assists, and Archer Woodhill 13 points, six rebounds and three assists.

Ben Woolley also had 12 points, three boards, three assists and two blocked shots, and Ryley Haywood 10 points and two assists.

Tyler Rudolph top-scored once more for Ballarat with 22 points, eight rebounds and two steals with Nick Stoddart contributing 19 points and three assists, Majok Majok 18 points and 12 boards, and Luke Rosendale 15 points, four assists and three rebounds.

The Miners remain in Tasmania to play the Hobart Chargers on Saturday at 8pm local time via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App. The Thunder host the Casey Cavaliers at the same time.

NORTH WEST TASMANIA THUNDER 98 (Armstrong 18, Sylla 16, Swalve 16)

BALLARAT MINERS 95 (Rudolph 22, Stoddart 19, Majok 18)