Bendigo Braves Women 78 – 81 Melbourne Tigers (W) – NBL1 South

In a tightly contested NBL1 South clash at Bendigo Stadium, the Melbourne Tigers women’s team snatched a 81–78 victory over the Bendigo Braves on Saturday, 20 June 2026. The Tigers survived a late Braves rally to claim a crucial road win, improving their playoff positioning in the competitive South conference.

Match Overview

Bendigo entered the game with home‑court advantage and early energy, building a 24–18 lead by the end of the first quarter. The Braves’ defensive pressure forced six Tigers turnovers in the opening period, and guard Sarah Mitchell knocked down two three‑pointers to spark the home crowd. However, Melbourne responded with a dominant second quarter, outscoring the Braves 26–14 to take a 44–38 lead into halftime.

The third quarter saw both teams trade baskets, with the Tigers maintaining a narrow 64–60 advantage heading into the final frame. Bendigo refused to go quietly: a 9‑2 run midway through the fourth quarter tied the game at 72 with 4:35 remaining. But Melbourne’s experience shone through as they executed in the clutch, with forward Emma Henderson scoring six of her game‑high 24 points in the final two minutes.

Key Moments

• First quarter surge: Bendigo’s 10‑0 run from the 5‑minute mark gave them a 20‑12 lead, but Melbourne closed to 24–18.
• Second‑quarter turnaround: Melbourne shot 61% from the floor and forced four Braves turnovers to take control.
• Clutch free throws: Tigers guard Lily Tran (18 points, 7 assists) sank two free throws with 12.3 seconds left to extend the lead to 81–78.
• Last‑second miss: Bendigo’s final possession ended with a contested three‑point attempt that rimmed out.

Standout Performances

For the Braves, Sarah Mitchell finished with 21 points on 8‑of‑16 shooting and added 5 rebounds. Center Jessica Black contributed a double‑double with 12 points and 14 boards. Melbourne was led by Emma Henderson (24 points, 9 rebounds) and Lily Tran (18 points, 7 assists, 4 steals). The Tigers’ bench also played a role, outscoring Bendigo’s reserves 22–8.

Table and Season Impact

The win moves Melbourne to 11–6 on the season, keeping them in the top four of the NBL1 South standings. Bendigo drops to 9–8 but remains firmly in playoff contention. The two teams are scheduled to meet again in Melbourne on July 17, a game that could have significant playoff seeding implications.

Head coach David Williams praised his team’s resilience: “We knew Bendigo would come out strong at home, but our second‑quarter response showed what we’re capable of. To get a win like this on the road is huge for our confidence.”