The GMHBA Ballarat Miners are sitting steady at third on the ladder following a 16-point win in Albury-Wodonga on Saturday, 107-91, making it seven wins from their last eight games.

The Miners’ imports were once again fantastic against the Bandits. Roy Booker, who leads the league in points and assists per game, had 27 points and seven assists to go with his two steals. Ken Horton, who is equal-first in the league in rebounds per game, finished with 22 points and 12 rebounds.

However, all five of the Miners’ starters made substantial contributions. Nathan Sobey had 21 points, five rebounds and three assists in just his fifth game for Ballarat, Liam Gibcus had 15 points and eight rebounds, while Anthony Fisher had 15 points and five rebounds.

Ballarat shot exceptionally – Fisher hit six of seven shots, Gibcus six of eight, Horton four of seven from long range and Sobey three of six from range. The Miners hit 17 of 18 free throws as a team with Booker converting nine without a miss.

Perhaps even more remarkable was that the Miners were able to take the blowout win with just eight players. With Kris Blicavs on the long-term injury list, Jack Sullivan remains sidelined with a hamstring injury and Chris Smith sat out with a shoulder issue stemming from last week’s Canberra road trip.

The Bandits’ standouts were Nick Payne who had 27 points, five rebounds and three steals, and Alex Bogart-King who scored 21 at 77%. Import Mohamed Ntumba was unusually quiet with just one point and two rebounds in 15 minutes.

The Miners head into the midseason break with eight wins and five losses then return to the MARS® MINERDOME on Sunday, June 15, to face the Sandringham Sabres.

Thank you to Thrifty Ballarat for providing all our travel needs.

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