All Dandenong really had to do was stay cool and capitalise, with the Rangers’ reward an 11-point win at the MARS Minerdome.

This South East Australian Basketball League game did not have to end like this.

Up to half-time, it was a close and entertaining battle and Dandenong held only a three-point buffer.

Everard Bartlett had made six assists, setting up great plays for showman Roy Booker to polish off and liven the crowd.

The GMHBA Miners’ errors started to become more pronounced after half-time.

Shooting was on par with the Rangers and the Miners were more dominant on the boards.

But the turnovers hurt.

The Miners made 25 turnovers to the Rangers’ 13, and the Rangers capitalised on the Miners’ waywardness, scoring 21 points from the turnovers.

Sitting 14 points down at three-quarter-time, the Miners clawed back to within six points midway through the final term. Three-pointers via Anthony Fisher and Bartlett had the crowd back in full voice.

But the Miners could not break that buffer as Dandenong maintained its consistent approach.

Former Miner Lucas Walker looked too much at home back at the Minerdome in his first SEABL appearance at the venue since 2013.

The Melbourne United NBL forward built a game-high 32 points (15 to half-time) with five rebounds.

Ranger Chris Patton added height and made a formidable impact off the bench with 20 points and seven rebounds in support.

Booker was the Miners’ top scorer. He finished with 21 points, after 17 to half-time, when he lost the sharpness in his shooting.

For the second straight week the Miners were patchy in individual efforts.

Chris Smith earned a call-up into the Miners’ starting five and produced a solid performance with 13 points and six rebounds. Kodi Augustus worked his way into the game off the bench with 17 points and 12 rebounds, including six rebounds in the final term.

The loss, to an east conference rival, is a costly and frustrating blow considering the tight ladder standings.

A tough Tasmanian road-trip looms for the Miners next up.