Trailing by as many as 13 points in the first half, the Border club roared back to cut the deficit to just one point at half-time before a 24-13 third quarter put the visitors firmly in command.

And unlike Friday’s win over Bendigo, there would be no let-down, with a gritty, hard-fought effort keeping the Spectres at arm’s length for the final term to improve the Bandits’ record to 3-0.

The stellar start to the Bandits’ campaign sets up a blockbuster conference clash with the powerful Geelong Supercats at The Arena on Anzac Day

Donte Nicholas further staked his claim to the league’s player of the week award with 22 points and eight rebounds to go along with his 29-point, eight-rebound, eight-steal tour de force in the home win over Bendigo on Friday night.

Fellow import Cory Dixon was again the ideal foil with his third straight double-double, this time compiling 21 points and 12 boards, with three blocks for good measure.

After a rocky debut on Friday night, explosive guard Deba George added 17 points despite misfiring on 12 of his 14 three-point attempts.

For Nunawading, US forward Delwan Graham was a constant thorn in the Bandits’ side with 18 points and 18 rebounds, while countryman Breland Hogan and veteran skipper Matt O’Hea each added 15 points.

The Spectres sorely missed the scoring punch of pivot Simon Conn and former Bandits playmaker Shane McDonald but Bandits coach Brad Chalmers said the hosts were no less intense for their absence.

“Down two stars, they hit us hard and gave us some really good punches, it was the first time we’d really been tested, both physically and the intensity” Chalmers said.

“Very pleasing to be exposed to that, it took us a while to find the tempo but to our credit our class shone through in patches.

“I said at half-time we weren’t going to blow them out, we were tired and they weren’t going away.

“It was a dogfight in the fourth but I always thought we could hold them off.

“Just really proud we were able to win a close, physical contest on the road.”

After two seasons of missteps, the Bandits appear to have the ideal import combination this year, with the smooth-shooting Nicholas doing a little bit of everything and Dixon providing the consistent, athletic inside presence the Border club has craved.

Along with expected improvement from George and point guard Daniel Sepokas, Chalmers admitted the early signs were extremely promising ahead of the Supercats game next weekend.

“Feeling pretty good, we’re playing well right now,” Chalmers said.

“I think we’re well-placed to go to Geelong and give a good account of ourselves.

“There’s some good signs, we’ve won our games in a variety of ways and that’s pleasing.”