The Bendigo Braves Women delivered an offensive masterclass in the National Women’s Basketball League1 South, defeating the Nunawading Spectres Women 113-97 in a high-scoring thriller on April 26, 2026. The game, which started at 12:00 PM, featured relentless scoring from both sides, but the Braves’ superior shooting and depth ultimately carried them to a commanding victory.

Match Overview

In a contest that showcased the best of NBL1 South basketball, the Bendigo Braves and Nunawading Spectres combined for 210 points in a game that never lacked excitement. The Braves, playing in front of a lively home crowd, used a blistering first half to build a lead that the Spectres could never fully erase, despite a valiant second-half comeback effort.

Key Moments

• First Quarter: The Braves exploded for 34 points, led by three-point shooting from guards Megan Kelly and Ashley Brown. Nunawading stayed close with 28 points, but Bendigo’s pace was already setting the tone.
• Second Quarter: The Spectres trimmed the deficit to 60-55 at halftime, thanks to a 27-point quarter fueled by forward Lauren Smith’s inside scoring.
• Third Quarter: The Braves reasserted control, outscoring Nunawading 28-20 to take a 88-75 lead into the final frame. Bendigo’s defense forced six turnovers in the quarter, converting them into fast-break points.
• Fourth Quarter: Nunawading made one final push, cutting the lead to 8 points with four minutes remaining, but the Braves’ bench depth and clutch free-throw shooting sealed the 113-97 result.

Tactical Story

Bendigo’s game plan centered on pushing the tempo and exploiting mismatches in the open court. By running a five-out motion offense, the Braves created driving lanes for their guards and found open shooters on the perimeter. Nunawading struggled to contain the Braves’ ball movement, which led to a 60% field goal percentage for the home team. The Spectres, meanwhile, relied heavily on isolation plays for their star players, but the lack of consistent ball movement resulted in too many contested shots.

Standout Players

For the Bendigo Braves, Megan Kelly led all scorers with 32 points, including six three-pointers, while adding 7 assists. Ashley Brown contributed 28 points and 10 assists for a triple-double threat performance. For the Nunawading Spectres, Lauren Smith dropped 35 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in a losing effort, while guard Jordan Taylor added 24 points.

Table Impact

The victory improves the Bendigo Braves Women’s record to 7-2 in the NBL1 South, placing them firmly in second place behind the league-leading Dandenong Rangers. The Nunawading Spectres fall to 4-5, dropping to eighth place in the standings. The win also extends the Braves’ home winning streak to five games, cementing their reputation as one of the most dangerous offensive teams in the competition.