Season-Defining Weekend for Miners

The GMHBA Ballarat Miners, locked in for their first finals appearance since 2006, had two spectacular wins over the weekend despite missing star player Ken Horton with a fractured thumb.

The Miners beat Knox 77-70 on the road before returning home to the MARS® MINERDOME to defeat Kilsyth 92-79.

Although Knox were eliminated from finals in prior weeks, the Raiders had won three of their last four games. They started strong against the Miners, taking a 20-7 lead into quarter time.

However, Ballarat would overrun Knox 32-13 in the second term to lead 39-33 at half time.

Knox came back to go 24-12 in the third, but the final term was all Miners, going 26-13 to seal the seven point win.

Nathan Sobey was excellent, scoring 28 points including five three-pointers, coupled with 10 rebounds. Chris Smith stepped up with 16 points and 12 rebounds, and Dyricus Edwards scored 15 with nine rebounds.

Backing up against Kilsyth, third in their conference, was the next big challenge for the Miners. However, Sobey was tremendous once again with a familiar stat line of 28 points including five three-pointers and 10 rebounds.

Edwards also scored 28 with five assists, Anthony Fisher had 12 points with eight rebounds and four assists, and Smith was strong again with nine points, eight rebounds, four assists and two blocks.

The Miners’ last home game for season 2014 is this Saturday, August 9, against Canberra at the MARS® MINERDOME at 8pm after the Rush take on Canberra from 6pm.