Bendigo Braves 91 – 84 Waverley Falcons | NBL1 South | 30 May 2026

The Bendigo Braves continued their impressive home‑court form with a 91–84 victory over the Waverley Falcons. A strong defensive effort in the second quarter laid the foundation, as the Braves limited Waverley to just 14 points in the period and never looked back. The win keeps Bendigo among the top contenders in the NBL1 South.

How the Game Was Won

After a tight first quarter that ended 23‑22 in Bendigo’s favor, the Braves turned up the defensive pressure. They forced six turnovers and contested every perimeter shot, allowing the Falcons to shoot only 4‑of‑16 from the field in the second quarter. Offensively, Bendigo’s ball movement created open looks, and they pushed the lead to 48‑36 by halftime.

Second‑Half Resilience

Waverley refused to go away quietly. A third‑quarter surge, led by shooting guard Damian Lee’s 11 points, cut the deficit to just four points heading into the final quarter. However, Bendigo responded with a composed offensive set: forward Matt Bailey scored 8 of his 19 points in the fourth, including a crucial three‑pointer that stopped Waverley’s momentum. The Braves’ defense held the Falcons to 3‑of‑12 from beyond the arc in the final period, sealing the win.

Key Contributors

Bendigo Braves: Centre Jack Adams was a force inside, finishing with 16 points and 12 rebounds for a double‑double. Guard Josh Wilson controlled the tempo with 14 points and 9 assists, while Matt Bailey’s 19 points led the team.

Waverley Falcons: Damian Lee top‑scored with 22 points, and forward Chris Bennett added 16 points and 8 boards. The Falcons’ bench offered limited production, a weakness that coach Andrew Spencer will look to address.

Implications for the Season

Bendigo improves to 9‑5, holding steady in the top four of the NBL1 South standings. Waverley drops to 5‑9 and now faces a challenging stretch against playoff contenders. The Braves’ ability to win with defense first bodes well for their postseason aspirations.