Up by 13 points at the main break, the Rush were seemingly cruising to big first-up home win.

But a poor second half, coupled by some ill-discipline in the last moments saw the home side squander the advantage, going down 74-67.

It wasn't as though Bendigo were really in the contest until late in the third quarter. Both teams squandered heaps of opportunities early in the term, with the Rush still holding a 10-point lead deep into the period.

A time-out with 3.50 on the clock seemed to invigorate the visitors who went on a 10-3 run to close out the term, reducing the margin to just three points at the last change.

More wasted opportunities dogged the sides until deep into the last quarter. After more than five minutes had elapsed, the scores were locked at 56-all.

It took Kristy Rinaldi to seemingly hand the Rush the advantage, two clutch threes brought the scores level again as the teams traded buckets in an entertaining last few minutes.

Unfortunately for the home side, the game would turn on two missed free throws from Alicia Froling when the Rush was down 62-64.

Those misses, coupled with Bendigo scoring at the other end meant it was a four-point deficit with less than a minute on the clock. The final nail came with 23 seconds left when Bendigo's Tess Madgen hit a huge three pointer with just one second left on the shot clock.

Frustration boiled over for the Rush as Froling was called for a technical foul, her fifth of the match with 17 seconds left, ending the home side's resistance.

The 2-2 Rush are at home to unbeaten Frankston next week.