The Final Score - Round 5

NBL1 Women
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Eltham Wildcats 63 def by Bendigo Braves 70
Top Performers: T. Heal 22 points/8 rebounds, E. Riley 11 points, R. Pizzey 10 points

The Eltham Wildcats lost their first game of the 2021 NBL1 South season on the road against Bendigo on Saturday night. The Wildcats started slow, unable to capitalise on the offensive end the Braves punished them with a 18-2 run to start the game. Finding themselves down 20 points (8-28) to start the second quarter the Wildcats banded together winning the second quarter and comprehensively winning the third period 24-9 to only be down by 1 point entering the final 10 minutes of play. Eltham turned the ball over numerous times while only shot 1/6 from the field to open the fourth quarter allowing the Braves establish an 11 point lead. The Wildcats battled hard but were unable to overcome the deficit going down by 7 points. 

NBL1 Women
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Eltham Wildcats 83 def Sandringham Sabres 80
Top Performers: T. Heal & R. Pizzey 18 points, A. Maley 17 points/24 rebounds

The Wildcats bounced back from a disappointing loss on Saturday night with a nail bitting win over the Sandringham Sabres on Sunday afternoon at Eltham High School. 

The first, third and fourth quarters were all close with the difference in the game being the 8 point difference Eltham established in the second period outscoring Sandringham 24-16. 

The Wildcats appeared to be cruising to victory with 5 minutes to go in the game with an 11 point lead (71-60) but the Sabres rallied behind A. O'Neill who scored 9 points to tie the game 79-79 with a minute and change remaining. With the game in the balance and Sandringham calling a timeout to draw up a game winning play in the final 10 seconds it was Erin Riley for Eltham who stole the inbound pass, drew the foul and calmy netted both free throws to push the lead to three points. However, the Sabres were not done inbounding the ball immediately and going the full length of the court and finding WNBL and Australian Opal player Jenna O'Hea (30 points) open for a three-point shot to tie the game on the buzzer.... which rimmed out! 

Coach Grant Spencer reflected on the games.

"An uncharacteristic slow start to the game vs Bendigo Saturday night saw us give up a 28-8 start. We had to work so hard to get back in the game. To our credit we were able to hit the lead in the last qtr only to fall short in the end. Proud of the girls to fight hard to the end. Coming into Sunday with the expectation to win the game it became more important after losing the night before. A slog fest prevailed and turned into a entertaining contest. We held our nerve down the stretch and were able to come away with a good win."

The Women take on the Launceston Tornadoes this Saturday night at Eltham High School, 6pm. Tickets on sale now, https://www.trybooking.com/BRLIL

NBL1 Men
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Eltham Wildcats 78 def by Bendigo Braves 92
Top Performers: A. Doyle 32 points, O. Magbegor & S.Whelan & T. O'Connor 8 points

After a close first half the highly fancied Bendigo Braves were only up by 1 point (43-42) as Eltham played a beautiful brand of basketball penetrating and passing to find open shooters. Bendigo unleashed their star centre R. Turner in the second half as he went to work in the paint scoring 25 points and grabbing 10 rebounds to ensure a Braves home win.

NBL1 Men
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Eltham Wildcats 105 def Sandringham Sabres 91
Top Performers: S. Whelan 33 points, S. Bradbury 22 points/14 rebounds, J. Aver 20 points/13 assists 

Establishing their height advantage early the Wildcats pounded the ball into S. Bradbury in the post as he scored Eltham's first 8 points. It looked like Eltham was in control of the game but the Sabres battled hard using their speed and elite shooting winning the first half of the game. 

Coach Trev Lee put a rocket up his Wildcats players at halftime who responded dominating the third and fourth quarters led by S. Whelen's three-point shooting and J. Aver's play making ability securing Eltham's second win of the season. 

The Men are at home again this Saturday night against the N/W Thunder, tip off 8pm. Tickets on sale now https://www.trybooking.com/BRLIL