Weekend crowned by big Bendigo win

The Bendigo Bank Braves Men pushed their winning streak to 11, and continued their run up the NBL1 South ladder, with two key wins on the weekend. 

Travelling to the aptly named Graveyard on Saturday night, Bendigo took on Nunawading, and didn’t have it all their own way.

Leading by only one at half time, Bendigo exploded in the third term, hitting an astonishing 34 points and restricting the Spectres to 11.

Bendigo coasted in the end to win 92-79, with Kuany Kuany  top scoring with 26 points in his return.

The comfortable result enabled coach Stephen Black to get some big minutes into his bench, and rest his starting five for an even bigger game the next day.

That was the game the whole competition had been waiting for – Bendigo hosting ladder leaders Hobart at Red Energy Arena.

Bendigo went into the clash on a 10-game winning streak. Hobart had won the previous 12 games.

Despite being without star guard Malcolm Bernard, Bendigo went into the first break three points up, a lead they doubled by half time. 

But that lead had evaporated by the final break, with Bendigo going into the last quarter down by one.

The final quarter was an arm wrestle, a high-quality arm wrestle. Both sides went basket for basket, and when Kuany was fouled out with less than three minutes to go, Bendigo led by two.

Then a key crunch steal by Mitch Clarke resulted in a dunk to Jake Lloyd and gave Bendigo the cushion they needed, running out winners 85-78 and climbing to third on the ladder.

Five Bendigo players ended up in double figures – Kuany (22), Lloyd (21), Sidy Djitte (16) Luke Rosendale (12) and Clarke (11).

One of coach Stephen Black’s mantras this season has been ensuring his young team steps up when needed, something they again proved they can do.

“It was a fantastic weekend for the club,” he said.

“Saturday night was really good. We were tested but everyone pulled together, refocused in defense and got the job done.

“Sunday was obviously tough as well. Playing against a top team, we certainly didn’t have it all our own way.

“Kuany fouled out with three minutes to go but everyone persevered. Lloyd made a couple of key plays in offence and defensively everyone stood up.

“The strength of our season has been, with people missing quite often, others have stepped up.”

Black again singled out Clarke for his leadership, especially at the defensive end.

“Mitch is about more than just the numbers you see at the end of the game,” he said.

“We are very fortunate to have someone at the point of our defense who is as elite as Mitch.

“He kept AJ Harris to just three of 15 shots on Sunday. The night before Harris had 25 points.”

Red Energy Arena will host another couple of huge games on Saturday evening, when Bendigo takes on Mount Gambier.

The Pioneers are second on the Men’s ladder and third on the Women’s.  The Women tip off at 5pm and the Men 7pm.

Photo Credit - Akuna Photography