It was a back and forth affair with neither side extending their lead beyond 10 for the entire game.

Cairns Taipans recruit Kuany Kuany opened the match strong, registering 10 of his 19 points in the opening quarter for the Miners.

Following this the Hotondo Homes Miners put together a well rounded scoring performance, with both Joshua Fox and Jerry Evans Jr. registering 20 points in the 87-94 win.

Captain Sam Short played all but one minute of the game, leading the team from the point guard position with 17 points, eight rebounds and five assists.

Short looked a touch above the Spectres defense, which struggled to contain the Miners as they ran their fast break offence leading to 35 points.

Sydney Kings recruit Deng Acouth was a nightmare mismatch for the Spectres big-men before running into early foul trouble.

Acouth used his long frame to grab rebounds (10), block shots (three) and disrupt passing lanes (two steals).

The Miners will next face the Bendigo Braves at home on Saturday, 6 November at 8pm.

The Rush were not able to replicate the Miner's success, going down in their opening match-up of the 2019 NBL1 season also against the Nunawading Spectres.

The Rush remained within distance of Nunawading for the first half, but a dominant second half pushed the game out of reach, ultimately falling by 21-points.

Captain Joy Burke stared for the Rush, putting up strong numbers both in points (19) and rebounds (8). American imports Chanise Jenkins and Olivia Hackman started the game strong but faltered towards the end, combining for 22 points on 7-22 shooting from the field.

The Rush were no match for Spectres duo Rachel Antoniadou and Kathleen Scheer who combined for 45 points (25 and 20 respectively).

Turnovers were a major issue for Ballarat, as their 18 turnovers resulted in 18 points for Nunawading.

The Selkirk Ballarat Rush will next face the Bendigo Braves at home on Saturday, 6 November at 6pm.

DETAILS

MINERS V SPECTRES.

BALLARAT: 24, 16, 27, 27 - 94

NUNAWADING: 14, 31, 21, 21 - 87

POINTS - Miners: Evans Jr 20 (1 three-pointer), Fox 20 (2), Kuany 19 (1), Short 17 (3), Acouth 7, Fisher 6 (2), Weightman 3 (1), Lingard 2.

Nunawading: Wright 25 (3), Sewtalla 19 (1), McDonald 15 (3), Conn 12, Saunders 9 (3), Mitchell 5 (1), Cooke 2.

REBOUNDS - Miners 48, Nunawading 39

ASSISTS - Miners 13, Nunawading 16

STEALS - Miners 7, Nunawading 3

BLOCKS - Miners 6, Nunawading 2

TURNOVERS - Miners 8, Nunawading 11

FOULS - Miners 18, Nunawading 22

RUSH V SPECTRES.

BALLARAT: 20, 22, 11, 15 - 68

NUNAWADING: 22, 27, 19, 21 - 89

POINTS - Rush: Burke 19, Hackman 13 (2 three-pointers), Jenkins 9 (1), Constable 8 (2), Taylor 7 (1), Amoore 5 (1), Blower 5, Cracknell 1, McKenzie 1. 

Nunawading: Antoniadou 25 (1), Scheer 20 (2), D'Angelo 11, Pizzey 10, Boyd 6 (2), Rowe 5 (1), Slater 4, Chillcott 3, Frawley 3 (1), McLachlan 2.

REBOUNDS - Rush 41, Nunawading 47

ASSISTS - Rush 13, Nunawading 18

STEALS - Rush 4, Nunawading 11

BLOCKS - Rush 1, Nunawading 0

TURNOVERS - Rush 18, Nunawading 10

FOULS - Rush 18, Nunawading 21