THE Ballarat Lady Miners last night stayed in the South East Australian Basketball League finals race in the best possible way - by beating Bendigo Lady Braves comprehensively at the Minerdome.
Getting the better of their arch-rival is sweet at any time, but this 69-57 victory for Ballarat was something special.
Ballarat Community Health Lady Miners' season was on the line and they delivered.
And the RetireInvest Ballarat Miners also achieved their desired result in their battle to stay in the SEABL men's east conference top four by defeating an undermanned Albury-Wodonga 114-93 in Ballarat
last night.
Lady Miners coach Kym Cassells expressed pride with the performance of her players.
``It's good to put two really good wins together,'' she said.
Ballarat is sitting fifth in the women's conference and needs to keep winning if it is to replace Kilsyth in fourth position.
This means as well as maintaining their winning run, the Lady Miners have to hope Kilsyth slips up. While the Lady Miners do not play again this weekend, the Lady Cobras face Frankston tonight and
Knox tomorrow. Each is near the bottom of the ladder.
Cassells said all Ballarat could do was keep winning.
She said a strong start against Bendigo, which defeated the Lady Miners twice early in the season, had been significant.
Michelle Musselwhite and Crystal Coston were once again to the fore.
Musselwhite provided 23 points and 10 rebounds, while Coston was steady with 14 points and 14 rebounds.
Ultimately though it took a complete team effort, as Andrea McMahon put up four three-pointers and Doherty was a key in ensuring a tight defence.
One of McMahon's triples was a memorable shot not far from the halfway line to just beat the shot clock in the last quarter.
It was a telling moment after Bendigo had loomed large.
Ballarat's effort to quieten the effectiveness of Bendigo centre Gabrielle Richards was also crucial to the outcome.
Although she still managed to lead the Lady Braves in points (14) and rebounds (12), she was hindered after bringing up three fouls before half-time.
The Lady Miners were able to make the most of it, especially in the third quarter when they jumped away with a 22-12 run to a match-winning lead.