The Miners were irresistible in the latter stages of the top four encounter. NW Tasmania closed to within three points on a number of occasions before the final 10 minutes delivered a sparkling display of Ballarat basketball.

The win takes the Miners another step closer to a top two finish, but more importantly it showed what is was capable of when it gets up and running.

At its best, the Miners play with flair and excitement and have a certain spunk about the way it commands the floor when everything clicks – instinctual offense matched by a structured defense.

Coach Eric Hayes was rapt with how his side stepped up to the plate when the game was on the line.

“When the guys are working really hard together, they’re a pretty formidable group to face. (There’s) just weapons all over the place, anyone can get going at any point,” Hayes said.

“It’s a pleasure to watch.

“You get to see what they’re all capable of. The game really loosens up and the court opens up because the defense has got to chase each individual player and each individual, one-on-one, is hard to guard.

“When they’re like that and they’re looking after each other – they’re tough (to beat).”

Hayes said a top two finish was its goal, to earn the double chance.

But he was keeping the focus short-term, letting its results do the talking.

“We’d love a top two finish, we give ourselves a chance of that happening if we can get the win next week.

“All we can do is try and win games and let the results fall where they may.

“We’re just focusing on each game as we go along. But the situation we’re in, we need to get wins to have a shot at the top two, it doesn’t guarantee it.”

Marvin King-Davis top-scored with 22 points while Leon Henry and Craig Moller commanded the airways with 12 rebounds each.