Perfect weekend for Braves Women

The juggernaut that is the Champions IGA Bendigo Braves Women continued to roll on over the weekend with two key wins, but not without a fight.

Bendigo ended the NBL1 South round equal on top of the ladder after wins away against Geelong on Saturday, and Launceston on Sunday.

Saturday night’s game was a tight one for Bendigo, with a persistent Geelong failing to give in all the way to the last shot.

After a slow start by Bendigo, the Lillee-Marsh of Australian basketball – Kelly Wilson and Meg McKay – kicked into gear, with Wilson hitting McKay three times in the opening term for scores.

McKay’s transition running was making a big difference, but Geelong hung in to go into quarter time up by two.

The Supercats jumped out of the blocks in the second quarter, pushing their lead out to 10 with five minutes left in the half.

Then Wilson went to work. Of Bendigo’s next 17 points, Wilson either scored or was credited with the assist for 15 of them, Bendigo going into the long break up 53-48.

As they did all night, Geelong fought back, but Bendigo settled to go into three quarter time 71-65, setting up a tense final 10 minutes.

Early points for Geelong saw the Supercats close the gap, with key scores from Cassidy McLean pushing Bendigo’s lead back out to four. But the Supercats pushed again, and with 34 seconds left scores were level.

With about 17 seconds on the clock, Wilson found Madi Sexton in the corner for her 12th assist for the night, and Sexton hit the match-winning three. 

McKay (22 points), McLean (21), and Wilson (20) were the top scorers for Bendigo.

A quick turnaround saw Bendigo host Launceston on Sunday afternoon, and it was the Amy Atwell show.

Playing only her second game in the blue and gold, the WNBA recruit ended the game with 30 points and eight rebounds as Bendigo ran out comfortable winners 105-80.

However, they didn’t have it all their own way. McLean dominated with nine points in the first term as Bendigo jumped out to 26-19 quarter time lead.

An 8-0 run by Launceston towards the end of the second quarter kept them within six at the main break.

Kasey Burton had the job WNBL star Keely Froling and put in an amazing game, especially in the third stanza.

Bendigo’s lead stayed at six points heading into the last break, then they exploded with a 30-11 final term to coast home.

McLean (25) and McKay (19) were the other top scorers alongside Atwell.Wilson had yet another amazing night, with 18 points and 13 assists, making it 25 dimes for the weekend.

Coach Mark Alabakov praised his team’s resilience over the two games.

“We knew in both games we were going to get better and we held tough when we needed to,” he said.

“I was impressed with our ability to hold our nerve and still play to win. You can go into your shell when games are close, but we didn’t.

“Geelong shot the house down and we needed to find another way to get over the line.”

Alabakov singled out Burton for a quality weekend against quality opponents.

“I thought Kasey was brilliant in both games,” he said.

“She made Keely play uncomfortably, which is what we wanted. Kasey is a tough defender and she is a perfect match up for the Froling sisters, Marina Whittle, and Anneli Maley, which we’ll see in the coming weeks.

“At times over the weekend you could really tell she was (Opals legend) Robyn Maher’s niece.”

Photo - Craig Dilks Photography