Frustrating away trip for Braves Men

When it comes to the analysis of his own team, Bendigo Bank Braves Men’s coach Stephen Black is always open and transparent.

“If we don’t pass the ball, we’re not going to be successful,” he said, of his team’s one assist in the first half away against Mount Gambier on Friday night.

“We have been making ball movement an emphasis.  So when we don’t do it, it doesn’t play to our strengths.”

The Braves’ troubles began before tipoff, with import centre Adam Pechacek pulling out after the warm-up with illness. And a 2-11 start in the first three minutes didn’t help either.

The 10-point quarter-time deficit blew out to 23 by half time, with two technical fouls from the floor making matters worse for Bendigo.

But the Braves, as they have done all year, rallied at the start of the third quarter.

A 16-0 run to Bendigo cut the lead to eight with three minutes left in the term.

However a late fightback from Mount Gambier saw the Braves go into the final break 52-68 down.

Mount Gambier extended their lead by 13 in the last quarter, Bendigo going down 65-94 in a tough night for the blue and gold.

Luke Rosendale top scored for Bendigo with 18 points, Lat Mayen next best with 14.

Billy Smyth with 13 points was the only other Bendigo player in double figures.

“We played some really good defense in patches, but we turned the ball over and allowed them to get out in transition,” Black said.

“That can leave you with few defensive options on key plays.”

On the two technical fouls, Black was philosophical.

“It was a frustrating night, but we need to be able to handle that,” he said.

“It was something we didn’t manage very well and need to do much better going forward.”

Photo - Craig Dilks Photograhy