The Bendigo Braves faced a tough challenge at home on May 16, 2026, falling to the Mt Gambier outfit 94–82 in a National Basketball League1 South encounter. Despite a spirited second-half rally, the Braves could not overcome a dominant first-half performance from the visitors, who controlled the tempo from the opening tip.

Match Overview

Mt Gambier came out firing, building a double-digit lead by the end of the first quarter and extending it to 18 points by halftime. Bendigo struggled to contain the visitors’ fast breaks and three-point shooting, allowing Mt Gambier to dictate the pace. The Braves, known for their home-court resilience, trimmed the deficit to nine points late in the third quarter but could not close the gap further.

Key Performances

For Mt Gambier, a balanced scoring attack saw four players reach double figures, led by the team’s guard who poured in 26 points along with six assists. Bendigo’s offense was powered by their forward, who recorded a double-double with 22 points and 12 rebounds, but the supporting cast struggled to find consistency from beyond the arc.

Turning Point

The decisive stretch came midway through the second quarter when Mt Gambier went on a 14–2 run, turning a seven-point lead into a 19-point advantage. Bendigo never fully recovered, though they made a push late in the third quarter.

Season Impact

The loss drops Bendigo to 4–3 on the season, while Mt Gambier improves to 5–2 and strengthens their position near the top of the NBL1 South standings. Both teams will look to build momentum in the coming weeks.