The home side trailed by 11 heading into the final quarter and even closed to within seven points at one stage, before the Spectres rallied with five minutes to play. 

The Bandits threw everything they had at the Spectres, but it wasn't quite enough on a frustrating night for the 2015 conference champions.

Donte Nicholas, Clay McMath and coach Brad Chalmers all picked up technical fouls, along with Nunawading's Nathan Wilson.

It was a trying game for McMath, who was strong on the defensive end but copped a dubious flop warning in the third period, while Deba George found his range again.

The exciting point guard finished with 19-points, while import Greg Mays finished with 20.

Spectres forward Wilson led all comers on the night with 30 points, while Simon Conn finished with 23.

Chalmers said the Bandits needed to close the gap between their best and worst.

“Defensively we're still not quite there, we're hit and miss with it a bit,” he said.

“We've been a bit disjointed with our ability to get after some practice, we've had a couple of sick players and sore bodies, we had a short week last week.

“It's a fine balance right now of getting the work in that we need and looking after them.”

After a tough run to the start the season, which has included two split road doubles, the Bandits will now have to make the most of the next fortnight at home.

“We'll keep working hard, we'll stick fat,” Chalmers said.

“We're not too far away from our best.

“We looked after the ball, we only turned it over five times, but Nunawading did play well, they made some big shots.

“We just need a bit of continuity at practice in the next couple weeks, we need to stay together.

“There's no alarm bells at the moment.

“We've got to play a little better, but it's still very early on in the season.”