A TWO-headed monster arrived at the Ballarat Sports and Entertainment Centre on Saturday, and try as they may, the Ballarat Miners simply had no answers to it.
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Frankston Blues pair Lachlan Barker and Dillon Stith put on clinic of precision and near perfection, shooting 67 points between them as Frankston caused a boilover of sorts against the home side, 89-77.
The 29-year-old Stith showed his years of NBL experience with both the Melbourne Tigers and Melbourne United to overwhelm the Miners, while the outside shooting of Barker was a feature all night.
Incredibly to half-time, the pair had combined for 42 of the visitors' 46 points, Stith on 25 and Barker on 17.
While Stith influence was curtailed somewhat after the break, Barker continued on, winning the two-way battle with 34 points to Stith's 33.
Despite the dominance of the pair, the Miners were well in the match until late.
William Hickey again produced his best and the welcome sight of big men Jock Perry and Deng Acouth combining at last was helping the home side stay in touch.
Deep into the third quarter in fact the Miners jumped out to a 59-53 lead after Perry nailed a long range basket. That all turned as Frankston went on a 13-3 run in the final three minutes and 39 seconds of the term and turned at the last chance up 66-62.
For the home side, the fade-out which occurred late in the first and throughout the second quarter last week returned, this time in the last quarter with the Blues scoring 15 of first 17 points of the final stanza, opening up a 17-point lead.
The Miners had one last fightback left, going on their own 9-0 run to close to within eight with three minutes on the clock, but Frankston steadied to run out convincing winners.
The Miners have dropped the past three and are yet to win at home, they travel to take on Ringwood next week.
