Braves women fall short in grand final

THE Bendigo Braves women’s season has finished in heartbreaking fashion, losing their NBL1 South grand final to the Ringwood Hawks at the State Basketball Centre in Melbourne.

With a final score of 89 to 73, it was a big third quarter from the Hawks that saw them turn around a two-point half time deficit.

A shootout early resulted in a close start to the game, with Ringwood taking the first quarter 23 to 20 and Tess Madgen and Megan McKay leading the way for the Braves.

Madgen ended the game with a team-high 30 points, as well as five rebounds, three assists and a steal.

Megan McKay continued her good form under the post, with the 25-year-old notching 23 points and 17 rebounds.

Kelly Wilson contributed 10 points, four steals, three rebounds and three assists and Cassidy McLean scored five points and grabbed eight boards.

But it was former WNBL Bendigo Spirit player Marena Whittle that led the charge for the Hawks, with her 33 point and four assist effort winning her the championship match most valuable player award.

Meanwhile, at the NBL1 South awards night last weekend, Madgen was named in the all star five after a season where she scored the logged most points and assists.

Wilson claimed the Golden Hands award for leading women’s assists.