The Albury-Wodonga Bandits imploded half-way through their game against reigning champions Mount Gambier on Saturday.

A three-point margin shortly after the half blew out to 26 points by game’s end at Lauren Jackson Stadium.

Poor shooting from deep plagued the Bandits all night.

Guard Deba George struggled with his shot, hitting a solitary three-pointer late for his only score. It was his third game this season where he has had three points or fewer.

Chemistry issues were again at the forefront for a team which is not gelling or communicating out on the floor when faced with in-game adversity.

Coach Brad Chalmers said the Pioneers had simply outplayed them.

“When it got a little tough there we certainly went into our shell and that's been the story of the year a little bit,” he said.

“We need to play better because right now we're not playing particularly team orientated basketball, we're in and out, in and out all the time.

“So it’s really frustrating now trying to nail it down … the chemistry is poor right now.”

Initially, it appeared, the crowd was in for a show.

Donte Nicholls looked sharp with his passing and the Bandits executed a fast and exciting style which was resulting in alley-oops and strong finishes at the rim by power forward Greg Mays.

Mays top scored for the game with 29 points but only finished with four rebounds.

He had his hands full at the defensive end trying to contain a pumped up Tyrone Lee who antagonised players and fans alike on his way to 23 points and 13 rebounds.

Silky swingman and NBL free agent Brad Hill chipped in with 18 points for the Pioneers, punishing the Bandits whenever he was left open.

Trouble started for the Bandits just before halftime when firebrand Clay McMath drew his second foul.

Not pleased with himself, McMath’s foul language caused further strife when he was given a technical taking him to three in two quarters.

The Pioneers went on a long range rampage in the third while things got worse for the Bandits when Darcy Harding (five points) took a blood inducing blow to his left brow.

Nicholls rushed to his side and thankfully the young player wasn’t concussed to the relief of coach Chalmers.

The cut above his eyelid was patched over as the dazed forward rejoined the game in the fourth.

By then it was too late.

Jon Sharp got a minute of garbage time and tensions looked like the might just boil over with 30 seconds left before Mount Gambier’s Jack Magden had to separate some players.

The Pioneers finished 100-74 which has helped them leapfrog to second spot on the ladder while the Bandits have now sunk to sixth.