On Saturday the Miners traveled to Bendigo for an incredibly tight match-up with the Braves who were looking for a big win to push them towards a finals appearance.

The game started out with both teams on fire shooting the ball. Each side traded the lead before the Ballarat ultimately took a 28-25 lead into the first break.

The Braves hit back in the second quarter, thanks in part to a huge first half from big-man Ray Turner, who's 20-points led all scorers going into the main break.

American imports Marqueze Coleman and Jerry Evans Jr led the way for Ballarat in the second half, scoring 22 and 19 points for the game respectively against their former University of Nevada teammate Deonte Burton.

Both Coleman and Evans Jr stepped up for the Miners on the defensive end to close the contest, as Evans Jr blocked a three-point attempt that would have given Bendigo the lead with 50 seconds remaining before Coleman shut down Burton's game-winning attempt in the final seconds so secure the 88-84 victory.

Sunday's contest was equally as physical for the Miners, as they hosted a motivated Albury Wodonga side looking to avenge its 63-point loss to Ballarat earlier this season.

Miners captain Josh Fox told The Courier he was expecting a tough match-up coming into the contest.

"They're a strong, physical and confident team," he said.

"We knew it was kind of a fluke to beat with by that much the first time... today they came out ready and we knew they were going to give us a tough game."

Perhaps the two most athletic teams in the entire competition, both sides flew up and down the court in the first half, trading leads and pulling off some spectacular plays.

After tying the contest with only second remaining in the half, a poorly-timed technical foul on Miners guard Sam Short gifted the Bandits four free-throws, all of which they hit to enter the break up 57-53.

Shortly into the third quarter, Ballarat centre Deng Acuoth picked up his third foul, forcing Josh Fox to guard Bandits big Torren Jones.

The two got tied up multiple times during the games, ultimately leading to Jones fouling out in the fourth quarter. Fox said he always welcomes competition and intensity on the court.

"We love to compete out here, I love it when guys come out and try to be physical... I'm always going to do everything I can to help us get a win."

Down the end of the contest, Jerry Evans Jr stepped up for the Miners, taking over the game by scoring 10 of his 28 points over a three minute stretch including a pair of three-pointers in front of the Bandits bench.

Lacking depth with Jones and guard Ken-Jah Bosley both on the bench with five fouls, the Bandits couldn't keep up with the Miners down the stretch, ultimately resulting in a 103-93 win for Ballarat.

DETAILS

FINAL SCORE

BALLARAT MINERS - 28, 21, 21, 18 (88)

BENDIGO BRAVES - 25, 25, 19, 15 (84)

SCORERS: Miners - Coleman 22, Evans Jr 19 (2 three-pointers), Kuany 14 (1), Short 11 (3), Fox 10, Acuoth 10, Lingard 2. Braves - Turner 28, Muo 24 (4), Burton 16 (1), Andronicos 8, Hogan 3 (1), Hansen 3 (1), Bartlett 2.

STATS

REBOUNDS - Miners 39, Braves 39

ASSISTS - Miners 16, Braves 22

STEALS - Miners 9, Braves 9

BLOCKS - Miners 3, Braves 1

TURNOVERS - Miners 14, Braves 15

FOULS - Miners 19, Braves 23

FINAL SCORE

BALLARAT MINERS - 22, 31, 25, 25 (103)

ALBURY WODONGA - 23, 34, 17, 19 (93)

SCORERS: Miners - Evans Jr 28 (5 three-pointers), Kuany 20 (1), Coleman 19, Fox 15, Short 7 (1), Acuoth 7, Lingard 5 (1), Dunmore 2. Bandits - Riak 26 (5), George 23 (3), Malou 16, Jones 15, Bosley 10 (2), Cincurak 2, McKay 1.

STATS

REBOUNDS - Miners 48, Bandits 41

ASSISTS - Miners 15, Bandits 12

STEALS - Miners 10, Bandits 5

BLOCKS - Miners 7, Bandits 5

TURNOVERS - Miners 6, Bandits 15

FOULS - Miners 15, Bandits 24