Traveling on the road for the game, the Miners could seemingly do no wrong from the opening tip, bringing a ferocious defensive intensity and holding the Raiders to just seven first quarter points.

The game had some extra meaning for Ballarat as it was the debut of American import Marqueze Coleman after missing their first three games due to a hamstring injury.

Coming off the bench, Coleman made an immediate impact, scoring a layup on his first position and finishing the game with 16 points, five rebounds and four assists.

It was business as usual for the Miners who saw contributions from all over their lineup. Sam Short was the game's top scorer, registering 18 points, while Jerry Evans Jr and Josh Fox both contributed 16 points.

The Raiders made a push to get back in the game in the second quarter, cutting the lead to 10 points, however that was as close as it would ever get.

The game was a struggle for hot shooting Knox guard Mike Rose who never seemed to get into rhythm, finishing the game with 11 points and 13 missed shots.

The end of the game saw some cause for celebration as youth-league guard Jeremiah McKenzie made his on-court debut for the Miners. He unfortunately didn't register any points.

The Miners next game will be on the road against the Albury Wodonga Bandits who lost their first game of the season on Saturday against the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence.

The Ballarat Rush have lost their fourth consecutive game to start the NBL1 season, falling on the road to the Knox Raiders 93-90.

The first half of the contest was played at a frenetic, back-and-forth pace which saw the lead change hands multiple times.

The pace favoured Rush guard Georgia Amoore who started in the place of still injured import, Chanise Jenkins. Amoore, who played every minute of the game, consistently pushed the ball up the court, drawing in the defense before either scoring (27 points) or dishing it off to a teammate (seven assists).

Rush coach Eric Hayes praised Amoore after the game.

"She can really play," he said. "She always plays with aggression which helps her work as a scorer and a distributor."

Knox extended their lead in the second half, getting ahead by as many as 14 points.

It took a combined effort from Amoore, Olivia Hackman (24 points) and Joy Burke (18 points) to get the Rush back into the game, cutting the Knox lead to a single point with 22 seconds remaining.

"Previously this season when we've gotten down we've dropped our heads and let the game get away from us," he said.

"It was great to see them play for each other and make it a game down the end."

Their push would ultimately come too late, as two made free-throws from Knox guard Briahna Whatman extended the lead to three before Amoore missed the would-be game-tying three-pointer with seconds remaining.

The loss will likely keep the Rush at the bottom of the ladder. Their next game will be on the road against the Albury Wodonga Bandits who secured their third win of the season on Saturday night against the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence.

DETAILS

FINAL SCORE:

Ballarat Miners: 18,28,24,20 - 90

Knox Raiders: 7,16,24,21 - 68

SCORERS: MINERS - Short 18 (3 three-pointers), Evans Jr 16 (1), Fox 16, Coleman 16, Kuany 9 (1), Acouth 5, Fisher 4, Dunmore 4 (1), Lingard 2. RAIDERS - Hunter 16, Grant 11 (3), Heuir 11 (1), Rose 11 (1), Thoseby 8, Raines 4, Marshall 3 (1), Meunier 2, Toman 2.

REBOUNDS - Miners 50, Raiders 46

ASSISTS - Miners 19, Raiders 11

STEALS - Miners 6, Raiders 9

BLOCKS - Miners 5, Raiders 2

TURNOVERS - Miners 14, Raiders 12

FOULS - Miners 16, Raiders 21

FINAL SCORE:

Knox Raiders: 21,32,22,18 - 93

Ballarat Rush: 20,28,20,22 - 90

SCORERS: RUSH - Amoore 27 (3), Hackman 24 (4), Burke 18, Cracknell 8 (2), Taylor 5 (1), Cochrane 4, Blower 4. RAIDERS - Ott 19 (1), Whatman 18 (2), Wehrung 15 (1), Wild 13 (3), Dawson 9, Santomaggio 8 (2), Dunn 6 (1), Quirk 5.

REBOUNDS - Rush 39, Raiders 37

ASSISTS - Rush 20, Raiders 19

STEALS - Rush 4, Raiders 3

BLOCKS - Rush 1, Raiders 2

TURNOVERS - Rush 7, Raiders 9

FOULS - Rush 16, Raiders 17