Every game is critical in a tight jostle to reach east conference finals in the South East Australian Basketball League and the GMHBA Miners fell 10 points short of Hobart, a team in just as precarious position in the south rankings.

There were exceptions. Miner Liam Gibcus continued to stamp his powerful and relentless physical pressure on the game at the MARS Minerdome. A clear standout, Gibcus again proved a key scorer for the Miners with 19 points.

Athletic guard Anthony Fisher added spark and energy. Fisher top-scored with 20 points and was equally as effective in his rebounding and scrapping in the contest.

But they needed more from their team.

Miners coach Eric Hayes said they have talked about this issue at training and ultimately, he as coach felt he had to do more at training to get his whole team performing in the game.

“It was a very disappointing finish. The meaning of each game now is pretty critical and I was hoping we would put a bit more desperation in the game,” Hayes said.

“A few guys played that way, with that desperation, but we need more across the board."

The Miners lacked the hunger of American Gregg Thondique, who ran into early foul trouble with three marks to his name in the opening quarter.

While this disrupted the team a little, Hayes said other players should have collectively ensure they recover.

Hobart never got a major lead on the Miners, their biggest buffer was 11 points early in the third quarter. Each time the Miners started clawing back, they dropped off intensity in what was working. They lacked defensive pressure, allowing the likes of Charger Tim Wright (32 points, seven three-pointers) to run rampant.

Now the Miners face leading east conference team Geelong in a massive mid-week showdown at the Minerdome.