South Recap | Round 2 Sunday

Story by NBL1 Media

Bendigo Braves (81) lost to North West Tasmania Thunder (90)

Tyler Harris couldn’t miss from the three-point line and put up 25 points to lead the North West Tasmania Thunder to their first win of 2025 with the 90-81 victory against the Bendigo Braves.

After the game was declared a no contest last week with the Hobart Chargers, the Thunder completed their first game of the NBL1 South season on Saturday night going down to the Waverley Falcons to start their road double-header.

Bendigo also played on Saturday night and scored their first win of the season against the Keilor Thunder before staying at home at Red Energy Arena to play host to North West Tasmania on Sunday afternoon.

It was a tight contest throughout the first half with the Thunder managing to lead 26-23 by the end of the first quarter before the Braves had 21 points to 18 in the second frame and that saw scores all square at 44-44 by half-time.

It was in the third quarter when North West began to pull away with 22 points to 13 and the Thunder would end up leading by as much as 11 points on the way to the eventual nine-point win to open their account for 2025.

Tyler Harris played a starring role in the win for North West Tasmania making all four of his three-point attempts while shooting 9/11 overall on his way to 25 points and nine rebounds.

Lachlan Barker added 17 points, five assists and three rebounds, Kye Savage 17 points, seven boards and two assists, and Archie Woodhill 15 points, three rebounds and two steals.

Charles Matthews produced an impressive showing despite the loss for Bendigo ending up with 24 points, three rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks.

Justin Johnson provided 15 points and three rebounds, Billy Smythe 10 points and seven boards, and Lual Diing nine points and five rebounds.

BENDIGO BRAVES 81 (Matthews 24, Johnson 15, Smythe 10)
NORTH WEST TASMANIA THUNDER 90 (Harris 25, Barker 17, Savage 17)