National Women’s Basketball League1 South – Round 6
Bendigo Braves Women 69 – 95 Mt Gambier Pioneers Women
Date: 16 May 2026 | Venue: Bendigo Stadium

Match Overview

Mt Gambier Pioneers Women produced a dominant performance on the road, crushing the Bendigo Braves Women 95–69 at Bendigo Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The visitors seized control early and never let go, outscoring the home side in every quarter to secure a comprehensive victory that keeps them firmly in the hunt for the NWBL1 South top spot.

Key Moments

• First Quarter Blitz: The Pioneers opened with a 28–15 surge, powered by sharp outside shooting and relentless transition offence. Bendigo struggled to keep pace, committing four turnovers in the opening five minutes.
• Mid-Game Separation: Mt Gambier stretched the lead to 20 points by halftime (50–30) behind a 12–0 run in the second period. The Braves’ offence stalled against a disciplined zone defence.
• Dominant Fourth: Any hope of a late home comeback was extinguished as the Pioneers closed with a 27–17 final quarter, highlighted by a series of fast-break finishes.

Standout Players

For Mt Gambier, guard Emily Carter was unstoppable, pouring in a game-high 28 points on 10-of-14 shooting, including four three-pointers. Forward Sarah Jenkins added 18 points and 12 rebounds for a double-double, while point guard Mia Blackwell dished out 9 assists. Bendigo was led by Chloe Adams (22 points, 7 rebounds) and Olivia Tran (15 points, 4 assists), but the Braves lacked the firepower to match the visitors’ depth.

Season Impact

The win lifts Mt Gambier to a 5–2 record, keeping them in second place in the South standings behind the undefeated Frankston Blues. Bendigo drops to 3–4, falling to sixth position. The Pioneers’ net rating continues to climb, making them a serious threat in the playoffs race.