Megan McKay dominated as the Bendigo Braves made it 30 straight NBL1 South wins on Sunday while it was a pair of Melbourne Tigers wins, a double for the Hobart Chargers men and Nunawading Spectres beating Bendigo's men in overtime.
The four women's matches on Sunday saw the Bendigo Braves beat the Nunawading Spectres 107-75, the Melbourne Tigers defeat the Diamond Valley Eagles 83-72, the Ringwood Hawks down the Hobart Chargers 81-67, and Keilor Thunder beat the Launceston Tornadoes 94-60.
The corresponding men's fixtures saw the Spectres beat the Braves 81-78 in overtime while the Tigers defeated the Eagles 89-79, the Chargers downed the Hawks 84-74, and Keilor beat North West Tasmania 105-96.
RECAP NBL1 SOUTH | ROUND 3 SATURDAY
RECAP NBL1 SOUTH | ROUND 3 FRIDAY
WOMEN
Bendigo Braves (107) defeated Nunawading Spectres (75)
The dominance of the Bendigo Braves continued on Sunday with 33 points from Megan McKay and six players scoring in double-figures in the 107-75 win against the Nunawading Spectres.
The defending NBL1 South and National Champions were back home at Red Energy Arena on Sunday afternoon hosting the winless Spectres, and the Braves didn’t waste time taking over the contest.
Bendigo went on a 10-0 scoring run to race out to a 21-point lead in the first quarter and it was only eight straight points in response from Nunawading that cut the Braves' lead to 32-19 after one.
The Braves pushed their advantage out to as much as 26 points in the second frame and the reigning champs were leading 59-35 at the half-time interval.
The lead continued to grow for Bendigo in the second half and grew to as much as 34 in the third quarter before the Braves won by 32 to improve to 5-0 on the season having won 30 straight matches since losing the 2022 Grand Final.
Megan McKay was an unstoppable force in the win for the Braves with 33 points and nine rebounds on a perfect 13/13 shooting from the floor.
Kelly Wilson added 18 points, eight assists, four rebounds and three steals with Ally Wilson contributing 15 points, seven assists, five rebounds and three steals, Cassidy McLean 14 points, six steals and five boards, Amy Atwell 13 points, three rebounds and three steals, and Caitlin Richardson 10 points, three boards and two steals.
Nunawading is now 0-5 on the season following the loss with Batabe Zempare finishing with 20 points, 11 rebounds and four assists.
Isabel Feller also had 16 points, two rebounds and two assists, Bride Kennedy-Hopoate nine points and three boards, and Jordan Pyle eight points, six rebounds and two assists.
Bendigo is back home to host the Sandringham Sabres on Saturday at 5pm local time via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App with Nunawading away to the Kilsyth Cobras at 5:30pm.
BENDIGO BRAVES 107 (McKay 33, K Wilson 18, A Wilson 15)
NUNAWADING SPECTRES 75 (Zempare 20, Feller 16, Brewster 10)
Diamond Valley Eagles (72) lost to Melbourne Tigers (83)
The Melbourne Tigers made it two wins in less than 24 hours with Sunday's 83-72 road victory against the Diamond Valley Eagles.
The Tigers were fresh off beating the Waverley Falcons on Saturday night while Diamond Valley were looking to bounce back from a loss the previous evening to the Sandringham Sabres.
It was a tight contest throughout the first half with the Tigers leading by four at quarter-time but that remained the margin at the half-time break.
Diamond Valley even briefly hit the lead in the third quarter, but then Melbourne took charge scoring nine consecutive points.
The Tigers kept the momentum going and the lead blew out to 15 points in the final period before they went on to win by 11 and improve to 4-2 in the process for the season.
Cierra Dillard put in another standout performance in the win for the Tigers with 25 points, eight rebounds and two assists with Steph Blicavs contributing 18 points and seven boards on 5/9 three-point shooting.
Sam Simons added 18 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals with Amy O'Neill contributing 14 points, seven boards, six assists and two steals.
Diamond Valley is now 2-3 following the double loss weekend with Gemma Potter putting up 27 points and six steals on 11/21 field goal shooting.
Naomi Mbandu added nine points and four rebounds, Ivana Vasiljevic nine points and three boards, Carly Turner seven points, eight boards and five assists, and Sophie Byrnes seven points and 10 assists.
The Tigers will now host the Eltham Wildcats on Saturday at 5:30pm local time via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App with the Eagles to play host to the Raiders also at 6pm.
DIAMOND VALLEY EAGLES 72 (Potter 27, Mbandu 9, Vasiljevic 9)
MELBOURNE TIGERS 83 (Dillard 25, Blicavs 18, Simons 18)
Ringwood Hawks (81) defeated Hobart Chargers (67)
The Ringwood Hawks responded in impressive fashion to their first loss of the 2024 season by beating the Hobart Chargers 81-67 at home on Sunday.
Ringwood lost a first game of the season the previous night on the road to the Ballarat Miners while Hobart had a strong win to start their road double with a win against the Nunawading Spectres.
That set up a fascinating match up on Sunday afternoon with Ringwood starting strongly to open up a nine-point lead by quarter-time.
Hobart's hopes of a double win weekend were dealt a cruel blow with Kayla Steindl out of the game from halfway through the second quarter onwards, and the Hawks were able to take full advantage.
Ringwood remained in control leading 48-30 at the main break with that lead growing to 30 points in the third period, and 31 in the fourth.
To the credit of the Chargers, they kept on fighting and got the final margin back to 14, but it was a bounce back win for the Hawks who improve to a 6-1 record on the season.
Five Ringwood players all scored in double-figures with Jack Animam leading the way with 14 points, six rebounds and three assists on 7/9 shooting from the field.
Annabel Deerbon also had 12 points and six rebounds on 5/7 shooting with 2/2 from downtown while Lana Hollingsworth contributed 11 points and three assists, Digna Strautmane 11 points and nine rebounds, and Hailey Wynd 10 points and five boards.
The Chargers are now 2-3 following the defeat with Cierra Walker finishing with 12 points, seven rebounds and three assists, Coco Erin 12 points, eight boards and three assists, and Claire Murray 11 points, six rebounds and two steals.
The Chargers are back home to host the Casey Cavaliers on Friday at 6pm local time via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App. Ringwood is away to the Waverley Falcons next Saturday.
RINGWOOD HAWKS 81 (Animam 14, Deerbon 12, Hollingsworth 11, Strautmane 11)
HOBART CHARGERS 67 (Erin 12, Walker 12, Murray 11)
Keilor Thunder (94) defeated Launceston Tornadoes (60)
Keilor Thunder kept their hot form going on Sunday afternoon with the dominant 94-60 win against the Launceston Tornadoes with Issie Bourne producing another 21 points.
The Thunder were back home at Keilor Stadium on the back of a 50-point win the previous night against the Casey Cavaliers while Launceston are still searching for a first win of 2024.
The Tornadoes did start on fire with the game's first 10 points capped off by a triple from Macey Crawford, but Keilor responded and outscored them 21 points to eight the rest of the quarter.
It was all the Thunder from that point in the game with the lead getting out to 12 points in the second term and Keilor was on top 46-35 at the half.
It was then a demolition job in the second half with Keilor outscoring Launceston 48 points to 25 to end up winning by 34 points to improve to 6-0 now on the season.
Issie Bourne maintained her standout form for the Thunder with another 21 points and seven rebounds with 4/10 three-point shooting.
Penina Davidson also produced 16 points and 12 rebounds with Maddy Rocci adding 16 points and eight assists, Tera Reed 10 points, Grace Graham nine points, three rebounds and two steals, and Lilly Rotunno six points, eight assists, four boards and four steals.
It's a fifth straight loss to open the season for Launceston despite Trinity Oliver delivering 21 points, five rebounds, three steals and two assists.
Macey Crawford also had nine points, six assists, five steals and four rebounds.
Keilor heads to Mount Gambier to face the Pioneers on Friday at 6:30pm local time via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App. The Tornadoes also host the Ballarat Miners on Friday at 5:30pm.
KEILOR THUNDER 94 (Bourne 21, Davidson 16, Rocci 16)
LAUNCESTON TORNADOES 60 (Oliver 21, Crawford 9, McDonald 7, Appleby 7)
MEN
Bendigo Braves (78) lost to Nunawading Spectres (81)
The Nunawading Spectres scored eight of the last 10 points in the overtime period to win a thriller 81-78 against the Bendigo Braves on Sunday.
Bendigo were fresh off a stunning win at the buzzer last Sunday thanks to a Rowan Mackenzie banked in three against the Casey Cavaliers while Nunawading were attempting to bounce back from a Saturday night defeat to the Hobart Chargers.
The two teams locked horns at Red Energy Arena and it was Bendigo clinging to a lead most of the afternoon, but the Spectres wouldn’t go away and remained in striking distance.
The Braves did lead by as much as seven points in the first quarter and eight in both the second and third periods, but never was there more than eight points separating the two teams.
A three-pointer from Trendon Hankerson put Nunawading back in front with six minutes to play of regulation. The lead would continue to switch hands including Christian D'Angelo and Andrew Robinson trading three-pointers around the two-minute mark.
Another triple from Hankerson saw the Spectres draw level again with a minute on the clock and in the end both teams hit a free-throw each down the stretch before the game went to overtime with a missed triple from Hankerson at the buzzer.
Then in the extra period, Bendigo were hindered with a back complaint to Rowan Mackenzie but still the home team were leading by three with 2:45 to play thanks to a three ball from Lachlan O'Brien.
However, from that point the Spectres outscored them eight points to two the rest of the way to secure the three-point win and improve to 3-2 on the season.
Trendon Hankerson produced when it mattered most for Nunawading finishing with 18 points, seven rebounds, six assists and two steals.
Jalen Johnson added 15 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks with Christian D'Angelo contributing 13 points, eight boards and three assists, Jack Gandolfo 13 points and four rebounds, and Ellis Biggar 10 points and nine boards.
Bendigo is now 3-2 following the defeat with Lachlan O'Brien finishing with 18 points and two steals.
Andrew Robinson contributed 14 points and eight rebounds, Koch Bar 13 points and eight boards, Rowan Mackenzie 12 points and three assists, and Billy Smythe 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Bendigo is back home to host the Sandringham Sabres on Saturday at 7pm local time via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App with Nunawading away to the Kilsyth Cobras at 7:30pm.
BENDIGO BRAVES 78 (O'Brien 18, Robinson 14, Bar 13)
NUNAWADING SPECTRES 81 (Hankerson 18, Johnson 15, Gandolfo 13, D'Angelo 13)
Diamond Valley Eagles (79) lost to Melbourne Tigers (89)
The Melbourne Tigers backed up their stunning win on the buzzer the night before to make it back-to-back wins beating the Diamond Valley Eagles 89-79 on Sunday.
The Tigers lost their opening four games of the season but then won a thriller thanks to a tip back from Callum Barker on the buzzer on Saturday against the Waverley Falcons.
That meant they were on a high coming to Diamond Valley Sports and Fitness Centre on Sunday afternoon against an Eagles team yet to win a game in 2024 including losing to Sandringham on Saturday by 24 points.
With the confidence from the breakthrough win the night before, the Tigers went on a scorching 17-0 run in the first quarter to open up an 18-point advantage.
Melbourne were still leading 30-17 by quarter-time with the Tigers still holding a 48-37 advantage heading into the locker room at half-time.
The Tigers then extended their advantage further in the second half leading by as much as 20 points in the third quarter, and 22 in the fourth before holding out the fast finishing Eagles.
Melbourne won by 10 to improve to 2-4 on the season with Tom Wilson continuing to thrive on his return to basketball with 19 points, nine assists and six rebounds on 7/14 shooting.
Jack Purchase put up 19 points, three rebounds and three assists for the Tigers as well with Jack Whitbourn contributing 13 points and two boards, Mason Gaze 12 points and four rebounds, and Michael Wearne 11 points, three boards and two assists.
Jock Perry had an impressive showing for the now 0-5 Diamond Valley with 21 points and 20 rebounds while Erik Kafritsas contributed 15 points and two assists, and Noah Todd 10 points and four rebounds.
The Tigers will now host the Eltham Wildcats on Saturday at 7:30pm local time via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App with the Eagles to play host to the Raiders also at 8pm.
DIAMOND VALLEY EAGLES 79 (Perry 21, Kafritsas 15, Todd 10)
MELBOURNE TIGERS 89 (Wilson 19, Purchase 19, Whitbourn 13)
Ringwood Hawks (74) lost to Hobart Chargers (84)
The Hobart Chargers made it a double win weekend on the road with the 84-74 Sunday victory against the Ringwood Hawks thanks to 27 points from Vionte Daniels.
The Chargers opened their road double beating the Nunawading Spectres on Saturday ahead of coming to The Rings on Sunday to face a Hawks team looking to avoid back-to-back losses after going down to Ballarat the previous evening.
Ringwood had managed to open up a five-point lead by quarter-time with the Hawks extending that advantage to double-figures in the second frame, and still leading 47-39 at the half-time break.
The Chargers regrouped at the half and came out to complete a 10-0 run in the third period to grab the lead, and then extend that advantage out to 10 points by the final buzzer to improve to 3-2 on the season in the process.
Vionte Daniels continued his strong form for Hobart with another 27 points, seven assists, four rebounds and two steals with Tasmania JackJumpers development player Jacob Richards putting up 24 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Ole Angerstein was a powerful presence once more with 17 points, 16 rebounds, two steals and two blocks with Joe Chilcott contributing five points, seven boards and 12 assists.
Jonathan Lawton ended up with 20 points, six assists, three rebounds and two blocks for Ringwood who is now 4-3 on the season.
Matt Roberts also had 14 points, two rebounds and two assists, Braelen Bridges 14 points and six boards, and Harry Sealey 13 points and four rebounds.
The Chargers are back home to host the Casey Cavaliers on Friday at 8pm local time via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App. Ringwood is away to the Waverley Falcons next Saturday.
RINGWOOD HAWKS 74 (Lawton 20, Roberts 14, Bridges 14)
HOBART CHARGERS 84 (Daniels 27, Richards 24, Angerstein 17)
Keilor Thunder (105) defeated North West Tasmania Thunder (96)
With Trevor Lakes, Kyle Zunic and Jalen Gibbs combining for 75 points, Keilor Thunder hit back on Sunday with the 105-96 home victory against the North West Tasmania Thunder.
Keilor went down to the Casey Cavaliers on Saturday night before returning home to Keilor Stadium on Sunday up against a North West Tasmania team who started their road double back on Friday losing to the Mount Gambier Pioneers.
It was a high octane opening from both teams with them combining for 62 points in the first quarter with Keilor leading 32-30 by the end of one.
While Keilor did open up an eight-point lead in the second period, North West Tasmania were hanging in there and the home team was only leading 56-52 by the main break.
Keilor did continue to push away, though, and the lead grew to as much as 11 points in the third quarter and 16 in the fourth before they scored the nine-point victory to improve to 3-3 on the season.
Trevor Lakes delivered 30 points and eight rebounds with 8/15 three-point shooting in the win for Keilor with Kyle Zunic adding 24 points, eight assists and six boards, and Jalen Gibbs 21 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals.
Kuany Kuany added 14 points and four assists, and Jayce Beasley 10 points and seven rebounds.
North West Tasmania is now 1-4 following the defeat despite 25 points and 20 rebounds from Sekou Sylla on 11/22 shooting from the floor.
Seth Swalve added 19 points and four assists, Jake Afoa 13 points and eight rebounds, Ben Woolley 10 points, three boards and two assists, and Tre Armstrong eight points, five rebounds and three assists.
Keilor heads to Mount Gambier to face the Pioneers on Friday at 8:30pm local time via NBL1.com.au or the NBL1 App. North West also host the Ballarat Miners on Friday at 7:30pm.
KEILOR THUNDER 105 (Lakes 30, Zunic 24, Gibbs 21)
NORTH WEST TASMANIA THUNDER 96 (Sylla 25, Swalve 19, Afoa 13)
