Ballarat Miners’ Kevin White shoots during the clash against Hobart on Saturday night.
WITHIN the first minute’s play, Hobart Charger Tiri Masunda sank two three-pointers.
Hobart’s precise perimeter shooting ultimately caught out the Ballarat Miners in a 12-point loss at the Minerdome on Saturday night.
The Chargers nailed 14 three-pointers from 24 attempts – dangerous guard Deba George had six in his 20-point haul.
Play was tight through the South East Australian Basketball League clash.
But the Chargers surged ahead in a dominant final term, proving too hard and too accurate for the Ballarat Holden Miners to contain.
Charger big men Brandon Polk and Jordan Gregg reinforced their status as tough interior players.
Polk built 25 point and 12 rebounds while Gregg put up 19 points, 11 rebounds.
Their dangerous band of guards were strong in support, hunting down and capitalising on any chance they got.
The Miners lacked answers.
Matching the Chargers early, the Miners held the lead at the first two breaks, including an eight-point buffer at half time.
Import Tim Coenraad made an impact with nine points, seven rebounds to half time but was tightly contained through the second half.
The Miners pushed out to a 10-point lead early in the third quarter before the Chargers clawed back and snatched the lead with a three-pointer late in the term.
Momentum was in Hobart’s favour by the final break and the Chargers took a seven-point lead into the fourth quarter.
Costly turnovers started to hurt the Miners as the Chargers continued to pull away.
Miners captain Ryan Barnes continued to work hard and added bite at both ends of the court.
Barnes finished with 16 points, seven rebounds, top-scoring with Shaun Bruce, who chalked up 16 points, including four three-pointers.
The Miners face a massive challenge next week when they seek to bounce back against east conference powerhouse Dandenong, which has won its past seven matches.
They will clash at the Minerdome on Saturday night.