After a defeat by the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, the Bankstown Bruins men’s team bounced back with a 107-87 win over the Albury-Wodonga Bandits. Bruins won the jump ball, but Andre Wolford missed a three-point jump shot for the Bruins, with the Bandits opening the scoring with a two-point, reverse layup shot by Simon Lafaele.
The first quarter saw the Bandits fall to costly turnovers, allowing the Bruins to steal the ball and score a few shots, including three-time NBL champion Jaylin Galloway and Jason Cadee scoring a couple of three-point jump shots. Jacob Cincurak and Matthew Gray scored from the three-point line, but the Bandits missed several scoring opportunities to get the ball in the basket.
Bruins started the second quarter sloppily, gifting free throws to the Bandits. Additionally, the quarter saw missed opportunities and turnovers by both teams. The Bandits’ defence kicked into action, stopping multiple shots by the Bruins and making scoring difficult for them.
The Bruins also fumbled many times in the quarter, especially in the beginning. On the edge of halftime, scores were level. However, the Bandits gained the lead off the back of Francis Wineera-Mulvihill, scoring a two-point jump shot with the Bandits taking a narrow lead into halftime.
The Bandits increased their margin over the Bruins early in the third quarter with a two-point turnaround jump shot made by Ahren Freemen and a two-point layup shot. The Bruins missed a few shots early in the third quarter before Cadee shot a three-point jump shot, narrowing the Bandits lead.
The Bandits increased their lead with Ahren Freemen scoring a two-point fade-away shot. Hayden Blankley’s three-point jump shot put the Bruins only one point behind the Bandits with around six minutes remaining in the game, and Jayden Evic scored a two-point hook shot, giving the Bruins a one-point lead.
Immanuel Allen sank two free shots to level the score at 58-58, but Galloway helped the Bruins to take the lead by one point off the back of a free throw shot scored. Freemen gave the Bandits the lead back with a two-point layup shot. Both teams missed opportunities to score, but the Bruins managed to beat the buzzer and scored a three-point jump shot to take some confidence into the last quarter
The last quarter didn’t begin well for the Bandits who gave away free throws with Galloway scoring. The situation became worse when Jacob Cincurak turned the ball over leading to Galloway scoring three points and extending the lead for the Bruins.
Throughout the last quarter Bruins snapped their defence into action, applying pressure on the Bandits and blocking many shots from going through. Galloway managed to dunk a two-point shot, sending a packed-out Bankstown Basketball Stadium into a frenzy. Freemen gave the Bandits some confidence with a three-point jump shot but in the end the Bruins, with their talent, achieved victory on the night.
