A questionable effort from the battling side, who looked to have found form in the fortnight prior, resulted in a 92-76 loss.

The 16-point capitulation means the Bandits’ hopes of playing finals are in serious doubt, although they remain a mathematical chance thanks to other results falling in their favour on Saturday night.

Coach Brad Chalmers said his team simply didn't show up to play in a bitterly disappointing performance.

“We didn't put them under enough pressure,” he said.

“Our readiness to play tonight wasn't there tonight, which is disappointing.”

After seemingly turning a corner in winning two of their last three games, Chalmers said it was hard to quantify exactly what went wrong against the Chargers.

“I don't think we had one good quarter tonight – there were patches in quarters where it looked like we had some semblance of what we've been doing for the last couple of weeks but otherwise it was a real regression back to some pretty unattractive, uninspiring play,” he said.

“I can't put my finger on it.

“I don't know why, after the last three games where played well, why we would do that.

“I'm frustrated.”

After a loose first quarter from both sides, it was the Chargers who composed themselves first.

They went on a 13-point run to start the second quarter, a margin the Bandits would struggle to close for the rest of the match.

Guard Jared Weeks was on fire, finishing with a game high 27 points which included four of six from beyond the arc.

All five of Hobart's starters were in double figures by the final buzzer, with only Mays, Donte Nicholas (16) and Darcy Harding (11) hitting the mark for the home side.

Clay McMath worked tirelessly for his nine points and 10 rebounds, but it was his defensive efforts that should have been equalled by his teammates.

“The biggest issue is just how flat we were,” Chalmers said.

“I would have thought against a top team, in front of a home crowd with the season still on the line, we would have been better.

“We weren't anywhere near how we played last week.

“We were 10 times better last weekend.

“To come home and dish that up is really frustrating.

“We're still in the race, but we're not playing consistent enough basketball to deserve a playoff spot.

“We got to get back to finding people who are ready to go each week.

“At the end of the day, we've got to stay with it.

“We'll play it out, we need everyone on board.

“Mathematically we're still there, but we're going to have to be a bit better to even stay close.”

The Bandits have to bounce back with a tough road trip against the Canberra Gunners next weekend.