ALBURY-Wodonga Bandits coach Brad Chalmers says his team simply isn’t “getting the job done” after another loss at the weekend saw the reigning SEABL champions slump to a 3-8 record.
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The Bandits fell to fellow strugglers Brisbane Spartans, 101-89, at the Rowland Cowan Stadium in Carina.
Still playing without a replacement for injured pivot Momo Ntumba, the Border club was blown away in the second quarter, effectively ending the contest by half-time.
While the Bandits gamely battled back in the third period, the damage had been done.
“Five minutes and a 21-6 run in the second quarter meant game over,” Chalmers said.
“That’s it in a nutshell, we were good in the first quarter, made some runs in the second half in a much looser style of basketball.
“But we can’t give up 101 points, it’s just not going to get it done.”
Bandits skipper Nick Payne led the way with 24 points and Alex Opacic added 23 points and nine rebounds.
But the performance of import Eric Vann again raised questions about his future with the club.
Vann scored 19 points and dished out six assists but misfired on 16 of his 23 shots and also coughed up the ball five times.
Chalmers was largely unimpressed with his players’ ability to stick to his defensive principles but acknowledged an ankle injury to guard Michael Watson early in the game also didn’t help matters.
“It’s an effort thing and then we break down in structure,” he said.
“We’re just not getting it done right now and that comes from effort.”
