
The GMHBA Ballarat took care of business on their home court for the last time in the 2014 SEABL season Saturday night at the MARS® MINERDOME as they handed the Canberra Gunners a 30-point loss, 109-79. In a match where all five starters scored in double figures, plus vital bench player Ash Constable with 10 points of his own, the Miners look to be in peak form as they head into their last match before finals begin.
Although to start the match the Miners failed to score on their first three possessions, a 3-point shot by Dyricus Edwards followed by an and-1 play by captain Liam Gibcus was just what the Miners needed to boost their offence; a boost that led to an 18-5 run for the Miners. Shooting at an impressive 60% from the field, the home team was in clear control of the game’s momentum. The Gunners did their best to stay competitive, remaining aggressive on offence and getting to the free throw line 10 times in the first quarter alone, but would still go into the first break trailing by 12.
The second quarter opening up with a massive dunk by Nathan Sobey to ignite the crowd and his teammates showed that the Miners had no intention of letting the Gunners back into the match. By not only maintaining their shooting efficiency, but also controlling the rebounds and limiting Canberra’s opportunities at the free throw line, the Miners were able to enjoy a 17-point lead heading into the main break, 57-40.
A three-pointer drained by Edwards in the first 15 seconds of the third quarter was indicative of how the rest of the match would continue. Although the Gunners would persist throughout the contest, they were no match for the Miners, who seemed to be clicking on all cylinders. The scores would get as close as 16 before the Miners would blow it out to 30 in the fourth, which was eventually their margin of victory, 109-79.
Garlon Green stood out for the Gunners, scoring nearly half of the team’s total points with 35 for the night, on 48% shooting from the field, and a remarkable 67% three-point percentage. Green also got to the free throw line 10 times and converted on nine of those occasions. Matt Staff and Jamie Mesman chipped in with 12 points apiece, while Daniel Jackson and Daniel Joyce contributed seven points each to the final Gunners total.
The Miners offence was outstanding on the night, as the team upheld an outstanding field goal percentage of 51% for the game, including 44% from behind the arc. Edwards led all scorers with 25 points and also dished out five assists, receiving heavy support along the way from across the roster. Anthony Fisher shot 54% for the game (80% from the three) to rack up 24 points, while Sobey was not far behind with 21 points, nine rebounds, five assists and a couple of exciting dunks to get the crowd off their feet. Big men Gibcus and Chris Smith dominated the boards to both secure double-doubles for the match (Gibcus with 19 points, 10 rebounds, Smith with 10 points and 12 rebounds). The Miners even received strong production from the bench as Constable contributed 10 points and five rebounds, Dane Sisic snatched seven rebounds, and young local Jack Sullivan was able to get on the board with one exciting assist.
The Miners head to Geelong for their last regular season game of the 2014 SEABL season as they take on the Supercats in what could be a preview of the first round of finals. As the Miners are heading into the contest in exceptional form, this match-up is sure to be an exciting one. Follow the action live from 8pm this Saturday at seabl.com.au/livestats.