Bold Braves lift to end Chargers’ winning run
Hobart’s 12-game streak snapped
THE HOBART Chargers steam train was finally brought to a halt in Victoria over the weekend with the ladder leaders going down in the battle of the NBL1 South’s two hottest teams.
After easily accounting for Geelong on Saturday with a 94-73 win the Chargers made the two hour trip north to Bendigo on Sunday to put their 12 game winning streak on the line against the red-hot Braves who entered the contest riding a 10-game winning streak of their own.
After the Braves got the better of the Chargers in the opening half to hold a sixpoint lead the visitors stormed back with a big third term to set up a big final term with just one point betwen the sides.
But in the battle of the unstoppable force and the immovable object it was the Braves who came out on top with the home side making huge plays down the stretch while suffocating the Chargers to hold on for a 85-78 win.
The Chargers were within two points with less than 90 seconds left but were unable to hit shots in crunch time as they were forced to foul the Braves who iced the game from the foul line to give the Chargers their first loss since May 15. Despite the defeat the Chargers still sit atop the NBL1 South standings and will regain star guard Sam McDonald for the remaining three games.
The Chargers’ women's side also split their two game road trip with the resurgent side recording a gutsy win over fourth-placed Geelong before being brought back down to earth at the hands of league leaders Bendigo.
Against Geelong on Saturday the Chargers overcame a six-point quarter-time deficit to win each of the next three periods to hold on for a hardfought 73-69 win.
Angie Tompkins starred once again in the win with 28 points and 11 rebounds while Sharna Thompson added a huge boost with 21 points.
The Chargers were unable to make it two from two on Sunday with the Braves showing why they’re the league’s best side with a 111-81 win.
Thompson continued her great weekend with a seasonbest 32 points in the loss.