The game was close for much of the first half before a late run pushed Bendigo's lead to eight points at the half. The Rush were unable to close this gap, never getting the margin closer than five.

American guard Chanise Jenkins top scored for Ballarat, registering 19 points. She struggled shooting from the three-point line, only hitting one of her nine attempts.

Captain Kelly Wilson was again dominant for Bendigo, putting on an all-around performance to lead her team to victory (22 points, eight rebounds and eight assists). Nadeen Payne contributed 15 points off the bench.

Rush captain Joy Burke's attempts to pull opposing center Gabrielle Richards away from the basket on defense were ineffective as she missed all four of her three-point attempts. 

Turnovers were again a big issue for Ballarat. The Rush lost the ball on 19 occasions, resulting in points for the Lady Braves.

Any hopes of a comeback we're dashed for the Rush as Bendigo's tight defense held them to only nine points in the fourth quarter. 

The Rush will now begin a five-game round trip starting next week when they travel to Dandenong for a game against the Rangers at 5pm on Saturday.

Dandenong finished round two with a pair of wins against the Southern Sabres (99-89) and Diamond Valley Eagles (89-69).

DETAILS

RUSH V LADY BRAVES

BENDIGO: 13, 26, 16, 18 - 73 def. BALLARAT: 13, 17, 15, 9 - 55

POINTS - Rush: Jenkins 19 (1), Hackman 13 (2), Taylor 10 (2), Burke 6, Cochrane 4, Blower 3. Bendigo: Wilson 22 (1), Payne 15 (2), Richards 13, Lavey 13 (1), Wilson 6, Dufelmeier 2, Cannan 2.

REBOUNDS - Rush 43, Lady Braves 48

ASSISTS - Rush 13, Lady Braves 20

STEALS - Rush 6, Lady Braves 7

BLOCKS - Rush 1, Lady Braves 0

TURNOVERS - Rush 19, Lady Braves 10

FOULS - Rush 13, Lady Braves 10