The Ballarat Miners have made it three wins from three games after a seven-point win on the road against the Dandenong Rangers in round three of the NBL1.
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The game was a tale of two halves as Ballarat showed off their energy and athleticism early before stagnating in the second half.
The injection of American import Jerry Evans Jr - who scored a team high 23 points - into the starting lineup certainly energised the team in the first half as they dominated Dandenong on the scoreboard (56-31) and statistically.
Evans Jr was dynamic at the forward position, seemingly scoring whenever he felt inclined and locking down his opposition man.
Miners Captain Sam Short had been averaging over 20 points per game coming into the contest but struggled to get into rhythm against Dandenong, only attempting four shots in the game, all of which he missed. Short did manage to hit seven of his eight free-throws.
Ballarat native Tristan Fisher again put together a solid shooting contribution off the bench, stretching the floor with his three-point shooting (two three-pointers) and finding his teammates for easy baskets (four assists).
Watch the highlights of Saturday nights game here.
The Rangers flipped the game on it's head in the second half, hitting five three pointers after hitting none in the first half and clamping down on the Miners defensively.
Veteran center Tim Lang led the way for the Rangers, putting up a team high 18 points, including nine points in the final quarter to help reduce the Miners lead.
After trailing by as much as 27, Dandenong cut the deficit to as little as five as they pushed towards an improvable comeback.
It was not meant to be however as some clutch moments on both ends of the court from Miners center Deng Acouth steadied Ballarat and allowed them to hold on and remain undefeated. Acouth finish the game with 10 points, six rebounds and four blocks.
The win keeps the Miners unbeaten on top of the ladder going their next game against the Knox Raiders on the road on Saturday, 27 April.
DETAILS
BALLARAT MINERS - 22,34,13,11: 80
DANDENONG - 13,18,19,23: 73
SCORERS: MINERS - Evans Jr 23 (2 three-pointers), Kuany 16 (4), Acouth 10, Fisher 8 (2), Short 7, Fox 6, Dunmore 6 (2), Lingard 4. RANGERS - Lang 18 (1), Kenyon 15, Froling 12 (1), Barker 12 (1), Leaupepe 5 (1), Robertson 4, Biyendolo 4, Soukup 3 (1)
REBOUNDS - Miners 41, Rangers 26
ASSISTS - Miners 17, Rangers 14
STEALS - Miners 6, Rangers 7
BLOCKS - Miners 6, Rangers 1
TURNOVERS - Miners 16, Rangers 12
FOULS - Miners 15, Rangers 15