BRISBANE Spartans pointed out a few things Ballarat Miners need to work on.
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The GMHBA Miners started strong but patchy play allowed the Spartans the chance to find an edge for a three-point win at home in the South East Australian Basketball League on Saturday night. It was a see-sawing game in momentum but the Miners led by 10 points deep in the third quarter.
Miners coach Eric Hayes said it was a disappointing result after starting the game so well.
Overall, he said, the Miners’ performance was solid. Their game just needed some tidying up. “The guys, when they were working well together, were doing all the things we’ve been working on and did a good job, but we went away from it at times,” Hayes said.
“...Our shooting wasn’t great. The decisions we were making were not ideal as a group.
“Guys were shooting shots coming at them that they hadn’t been expecting and, at times, not always the shots we wanted them to have.”
American Kodi Augustus was the Miners’ top scorer with a game-high 22 points (4 three-pointers) but his conversion in the field was six shots from 20 attempts.
Augustus also pulled in 14 rebounds. Miners captain Roy Booker had 18 points and five assists.
The Miners powered out to a 26-23 opening term and, although the Spartans took time to work their way into the game, they started to press and create a few turnovers to take the momentum.
Hayes said it was the same way the Spartans created a round-one win against Frankston. The Miners fell behind in the second quarter and trailed by 10 points at half-time before winning a huge third quarter, 29-11.
Hayes said each of his players did some good work on the floor. His team just lacked a standout that came on the floor and really held the team together.
melanie.whelan@fairfamedia.com.au