The GMHBA Miners went down fighting in a six-point loss to Dandenong on Saturday night in a South East Australian Baseketball League conference semi-final. This ends a five-game winning streak on which the Miners stormed into the playoffs.

In an added twist, this is the same stage – Dandenong Stadium – where the Miners bowed out in a semi-final last season. Three weeks ago, this stadium was where the Miners claimed a 17-point win that emphatically announced their status back in the finals chase.

They fought, they clawed and desperately tried to pull their way back into a final that almost spiralled out of the Miners’ control. Dandenong had pushed away to a 20-point lead with four minutes to play in the third quarter. The Miners had the margin back to 10 by the end of the third and were back within four, midway through the fourth.

But Dandenong had control and there was no way they would let their grip slip.

Dandenong’s Daequon Montreal ran rampant with 31 points and feeding on the crowd hype he generated. Former Miner Lucas Walker (18 points, 21 rebounds) also made a strong impact.

Roy Booker, a crowd favourite at home, was villain in the Rangers’ stadium. Booker topped the Miners’ scoring with 22 points, despite being heavily checked.

Anthony Fisher (12 points, 10 rebounds) and Gregg Thondique (10 points, 13 rebounds) were consistently steady. 

New Zealand international Everard Bartlett was a handy bench player with 12 points and creating some exciting passages of play.​

DETAILS

MEN’S EAST CONFERENCE ELIMINATION FINAL in Dandenong on Saturday night.

Dandenong 21 49 69 91

Ballarat Miners 24 36 59 85

Ballarat top scores: Roy Booker 22 points, Anthony Fisher 12, Everard Bartlett 12, Chris Smith 10.