Diamond Valley Eagles Soar Past Bendigo Braves 90-75

The Diamond Valley Eagles used a dominant second-half performance to power past the Bendigo Braves 90-75 in NBL1 South action on May 24, 2026. The Eagles turned a tight contest into a comfortable victory thanks to relentless defense and a deep scoring attack that wore down the Braves over four quarters.

Match Overview

Bendigo started strong, matching the Eagles bucket for bucket in the first quarter. The Braves held a slim 23-22 lead after 10 minutes, but Diamond Valley answered with a 26-19 second quarter to take a 48-42 halftime advantage. The Eagles then blew the game open in the third, outscoring Bendigo 27-16 to build a 75-58 lead heading into the final frame.

Key Moments

• Second Quarter Turnaround: After a back-and-forth opening period, the Eagles tightened their defense, forcing three turnovers in the first four minutes of the second quarter and converting them into fast-break points.
• Third Quarter Explosion: Diamond Valley came out of the locker room on fire, hitting five of their first seven shots from the field. A 15-2 run midway through the third effectively ended the contest.
• Braves' Failed Comeback: Bendigo tried to mount a rally in the fourth, cutting the deficit to 13 points with six minutes remaining, but the Eagles answered with a three-pointer and a steal-and-score to push the lead back to 18.
• Free Throw Execution: The Eagles sealed the win at the stripe, converting 12 of 14 free throws in the fourth quarter to keep the Braves at arm's length.

Standout Players

Diamond Valley's floor general orchestrated the offense with 11 assists to go along with 16 points, earning him player of the game honors. The Eagles' frontcourt duo combined for 38 points and 20 rebounds, providing a strong inside presence. For Bendigo, their top scorer finished with 24 points, but he was forced into difficult shots by the Eagles' swarming defense.

Impact on the Standings

The win moves Diamond Valley Eagles into a tie for fourth place in the NBL1 South standings, building momentum as the season approaches its midpoint. Bendigo Braves, now sitting just outside the playoff picture, will need to address their defensive lapses if they hope to climb back into contention. The Eagles' balanced scoring and defensive intensity make them a dangerous matchup for any opponent.