A lightning-fast start saw the Bandits race out to a 13-point lead at one point in the first period, before the Pioneers fought back to trail by 7 at the first break.

The visitors kept coming in the second, seizing the lead at the six-minute mark after some good work from Brad Hill and Erik Burdon.

Hill began to get the better of what was an engaging battle between him and Bandits forward Donte Nicholas as the Pioneers took a 13-point lead into the half time break. 

Neither side was able to generate any significant scoring runs throughout a tightly contested third period, but some Deba George magic had the vocal home crowd out of their seats at the end of the third period.

The tenacious point guard beat the buzzer with a monster shot from centre court to cut the Pioneers’ lead to just seven points.

The Bandits proceeded to throw everything they had at the Pioneers, whittling the lead down from seven points to just three before star import Cory Dixon was fouled off with 1:19 on the clock.

With just 10 seconds of regular time to play, Nicholas found space to drive to the hole from the baseline to tie the score at 81-apeice, sending the game into overtime. 

The game was on a knife edge with both teams at five fouls, and it was the Bandits that struck first from the free throw line.

They were out to a three-point lead after George and Alex Bogart-King scored from the field, and the Pioneers couldn’t reclaim the lead from there, despite closing to within one point.

Coach Brad Chalmers said the win was the perfect way to round out the home and away season, with the Bandits emerging from the clash with the best home record in the SEABL.

“It was finals-type intensity which was what we expected,” Chalmers said.

“It was a game of runs, but I was really pleased with our ability to hang on and fight.

“For us to chip away and stay composed was really good.” 

Missing Daniel Sepokas for the game though injury and Dixon for the overtime minutes, Chalmers was happy with the effort coming from the bench.

“Michael Watson and Matt de Koeyer did some good things,” Chalmers said.

“Their energy was great, they’ll have to stay at a high level to cover for Sepokas so hopefully they can continue to do that. 

“Cory was great, he battled hard throughout despite being double teamed and they were trying to front as well.

“He wasn’t getting any fouls called on him either, so it’s a real credit to him that he continued to battle under real pressure.” 

After Saturday night’s pressure cooker, the Bandits are back at home next weekend to host the Geelong Supercats in their first playoff game since 2012.