The Miners' 18-point loss has marred an impressive month in the South East Australian Basketball League, in which the Miners had netted five wins from seven starts.

Ballarat coach Guy Molloy said the match was definitely not one of the Wes Davidson Real Estate Miners' better games.

His team needed to move forward.

"It's the big teams we struggle against and that theme has sort of continued," Molloy said.

"We did create a few good circumstances but didn't get into a flow.

"Unfortunately we missed a couple of free throws and against a talented team with deep NBL experience, they quickly turned it in their favour."

Molloy said the Miners had a good week at training but their game, especially defensively, just did not go to plan.

Nunawading had the edge for most of the first period with the Miners chipping the margin back to three points by the break.

Experienced Spectre Shane McDonald opened scoring, with Miner Tariq Naqqash sinking a three-pointer in quick reply.

It was Drake Reed's powerful 12-point quarter, including one-three pointer, that kept the Miners' within range.

The Miners won the second term, 16-15, but the third was when the Spectres really stamped their mark on the game.

Nunawading pushed its lead out to 14 points midway through the third quarter for a handy buffer.

The Spectres surged away in the final term amid the physical contest.

Molloy praised Miners forward Ryan Barnes for his consistent efforts coming off the bench.

Naqqash produced solid defensive work across the court and top-scored for the Miners with 17 points (3 three-pointers).

He was matched by the Spectres' Shane McDonald in scoring while NBL star Tom Greer notched up 15 points, eight rebounds.

Molloy said his players needed to regroup ahead of matches against the more evenly matched Geelong and Canberra next weekend.

Competition results this round have kept them outside the east conference top four this week.

They face a critical period ahead if they are to lift into play-off contention.