THE Albury-Wodonga Bandits almost bottled a 25-point three quarter time lead against the Canberra Gunners on Saturday night.
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After straight-up dominating for the first three quarters of the game, the Gunners found a way to outscore the Bandits in a big way in the final 10 minutes.
A dubious flop warning resulted in Clay McMath being ejected from the game in the third quarter
Promising tall Darcy Harding was also fouled out leading into the final quarter, while power-forward Greg Mays was also forced onto the pine late in the game.
The visitors were unsettled and gave up a disastrous 39 to 17 points in the last quarter, one which could have cost them their shot at a finals berth.
It took the gloss off what was probably the most convincing three-quarters of basketball the side had played up to that point.
Donte Nicholas terrorised the Gunners from the outset, finishing the game with 30 points and 10 rebounds for a dominant double-double.
Despite some frustrations with the refereeing, coach Brad Chalmers said it was an overall positive performance.
“I thought the boys were really good throughout the first three quarters,” he said.
“We came with a game plan and they executed well.
“We lost our way a bit in the third quarter, but we regrouped had a nice lead going into the final quarter.
“Darcy fouled out, then Clay was called for a flop and ejected, I don't really think there was anything in it.
“To lose players like that is ridiculous.
“Greg was getting butchered down one end, then copped some cheap fouls at the other.
“We finished up with Donte playing as a big, Sawyer (Dearborn) as a fourth man and Jessy Wilson picking up some important minutes.
“I'm disappointed to an extent about the way things unfolded, and I don't want to take away from Canberra, they played well late.
“The circumstances were frustrating.
“The boys played well, but it took the edge off what could have been a bigger win.”
Dearborn and Wilson being trusted to hold off the fast-finishing Gunners was a major positive for Chalmers, as was Deba George's output.
George finished with 21 points, shooting seven of 12 from the field.
“Though Deba had a quiet, unassuming 21 points, for him to get that many as quietly as he did, at the right time, is good.
“You want your best players doing that every week.”
The Bandits have drawn level with North-West Tasmania on 10 wins, however the Thunder still hold one game in hand.