Posted on 7 June, 2010
Ryan Bathie (24 points) lead all scorers as he and Auryn MacMillan (12pts) helped Kilsyth to an early seven point lead. Bendigo hit back, scoring on their final six possessions of the opening term to take a three point lead into the first change.
Ivan McFarlin (21pts, 11rbds) and Luke Meyer (20pts) were causing Kilsyth plenty of headaches at both ends of the floor in the first half and helped the Braves build a seven point lead midway through the second term.
As Bendigo had done in the opening quarter, Kilsyth went on a run scoring on four consecutive possesion to tie up the scores with 40 seconds remaining in the quarter.
An unsportsmanlike foul from Tim Lang (11pts) with 23 second left in the half saw a change in momentum, with Adam Tanner (19pts) scoring nine points in the final minute of the half to see Bendigo lead 49-42 at the main break.
Tanner continued his hot shooting in the third term extending the margin to double figures with an early three. The deficit was pushed out to 15 points midway through the third term but with Bathie forcing his way to the hole and Quincy Henderson connecting from downtown the difference was back to 10 at the last change.
Matt O’Hea (9pts, 5ass) hit the first two buckets of the final term to get the Swinburne Cobras within five points. But an early Bendigo timeout halted the run and the Braves close out the game with a 29-6 run convincingly defeat Kilsyth.
Shooting at close to 65% for the quarter Bendigo hit the shell shocked Swinburne Cobras hard and Kilsyth failed to respond losing not only the game but the split in this important match up.
Bendigo shot at an impressive 56% for the match compared to 42% from Kilsyth, something Coach Grant Wallace will need his team to turn around if they are going to defeat Mt Gambier next weekend.
Kilsyth will remain at home on Sunday 13 June 2010 as they take on Mt Gambier at 2.00pm.