“HOW much do you want it?”
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Late in the fourth quarter, Albury-Wodonga Bandits coach Brad Chalmers asked the question and his players answered the call against the Dandenong Rangers.
Playing without injured star Donte Nicholas, the Bandits frittered away a 17-point advantage before proving their fighting qualities with a nail-biting 97-92 triumph at the Lauren Jackson Sports Centre yesterday.
Clutch fourth-quarter scoring from Deba George, Daniel Sepokas and Cory Dixon saw the Border club snap a three-game losing streak and improve its overall SEABL record to 4-3.
The starting backcourt of Sepokas and George proved too much for Dandenong, with both players notching 24 points and combining for nine of the Bandits’ 11 three-pointers.
There was plenty of offensive support, with Dixon grabbing yet another double-double of 14 points and 13 boards, with five assists, two steals and two blocks thrown in for good measure.
Fill-in starter Alex Bogart-King enjoyed his best game of the season, scoring 14 points without a miss while veteran guard Matt de Koeyer (11 points) provided timely baskets and some excellent defensive pressure off the bench.
For Dandenong, import Daequon Montreal led all scorers with 28 points and evergreen forward Chuck Long added 24 points.
Chalmers hailed his team’s efforts but admitted he was relieved to have escaped with a win.
“They fought it out, which was great,” Chalmers said.
“We didn’t execute well but we stayed aggressive, especially defensively.
“Really pleasing to see us grind it out and we have to take a win in any shape or form.
“To finish off the game that way, that’s what it’s all about, winning games, so we’ll take that and be happy with that.
“Credit to Dandenong, they did some different things and hit some big shots but overall, really happy with all the guys, they’ve done well.”
Both teams opened the game with plenty of offensive intent, Sepokas nailing three triples and the visitors executing sharply in response.
Despite a 10-2 run from the Bandits, the Rangers stayed in touch, trailing by four, 21-17 at the first change.
Albury-Wodonga ratcheted up its defensive pressure and pushing hard to open up a 43-26 advantage, the hosts had a golden opportunity to put a tired-looking Dandenong away.
Instead, a couple of silly fouls and some errant passes saw the Rangers storm back over the final three minutes of the half to only trail 45-38.
The visitors started the second half as they finished the first and some fine long-range marskmanship from guard Michael Wearne gave the Rangers momentum — and more importantly — a 70-69 lead with one quarter to play.
The teams traded baskets throughout the final term, a tough Sepokas layup knotting the scores at 81 apiece.
A George triple in transition and then a Dixon basket set the crowd alight before another George three-pointer had the Bandits in control, up 89-81.
But Dandenong refused to quit, cutting it to 91-88 with 52 seconds left on a pair of Montreal free throws.
However, that would be as close as the Rangers would get, clutch free throws from Dixon and Sepokas providing the final margin of victory.