OneFortyOne Pioneers Set for Win-or-Go-Home Elimination Final Against Melbourne Tigers

The OneFortyOne Pioneers' season comes down to one game as they travel to Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre on Saturday night to take on the Melbourne Tigers in an NBL1 South Elimination Final.

 

After finishing the regular season with a 12-10 record, the Pioneers earned their place in the postseason and now face a Melbourne side that finished at 13-9. With a place in the Quarter Finals on the line, both teams know there are no second chances.

 

The OneFortyOne Pioneers enter the contest with confidence after closing the regular season with an impressive 101-81 victory over Frankston. That performance showcased the balanced offensive attack and defensive intensity the group will be looking to carry into finals basketball.

 

Melbourne, meanwhile, dropped its final regular season game 79-72 to Eltham but secured its finals berth through a strong campaign that included recent wins over Northern Force and Sandringham.

 

The contrast in playing styles presents an intriguing matchup. The Pioneers have been one of the league's streaky teams throughout the season, averaging 83.9 points per game and using their ability to push the ball in transition to create scoring opportunities.

 

Melbourne prefers a more measured approach, averaging 77.3 points per game and playing a controlled style of play. The Tigers rely on efficient half-court execution and disciplined defence, meaning the team that controls the tempo could gain a significant advantage.

 

Tilly Boler has led the Pioneers' scoring this season with 15.5 points per game, providing perimeter shooting and the ability to create offence in important moments.

 

Kelsey Rees has also enjoyed an outstanding campaign, averaging 14.7 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. Her presence on the glass will be crucial against Melbourne's strong frontcourt.

 

Lara Edmanson has contributed 14.6 points and 9.6 rebounds per game while shooting 49.6 per cent from the field. Carla Pittman, Grace Champion and Abigail Prohaska have also averaged double figures, giving Mount Gambier several reliable scoring options capable of making an impact in a final’s environment.

 

A familiar face for Pioneers supporters is former OneFortyOne Pioneer Isabella Brancatisano, who wore the green and black during the 2025 NBL1 South season before joining the Tigers in 2026. Brancatisano has continued her strong form, averaging 13.0 points per game while providing leadership and experience on both ends of the floor.

 

The Tigers also feature one of the competition's premier perimeter threats in Shuyu Yang, who is averaging 18.9 points per game while shooting an impressive 43.9 per cent from beyond the arc. Mingling Chen provides another reliable scoring option inside, contributing 14.4 points per game and giving Melbourne multiple weapons in the frontcourt.

 

One of the biggest battles of the night will take place inside, where Rees and Edmanson will look to limit the influence of Chen in the paint. On the perimeter, Boler, Pittman and Champion will aim to apply pressure defensively while creating scoring opportunities in transition.

 

Mount Gambier's ability to rebound, force turnovers and play at its preferred tempo could prove decisive against a Tigers side that thrives when games become structured and half-court orientated. If the Pioneers can establish their fast-paced style early, they will give themselves every opportunity to extend their season.

 

With the season on the line, every possession will carry extra importance. The winner advances to the Quarter Finals, while the loser's 2026 campaign comes to an end.

 

For the OneFortyOne Pioneers, it is an opportunity to continue an impressive season and take another step towards an NBL1 South Championship.

 

 

Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre

Saturday, 25 July 2026

6:30PM AEST