Down by as much as 15 points in the second quarter, Bendigo made a spectacular comeback on its showcourt.
Defensive pressure as much as attacking flair played a big part in the Braves’ victory.
A desperate dive for the ball by centre Matt Trannon in the third quarter summed up Bendigo’s effort.
Some timely taps to intercept passes, steals and strong rebounding were all part of Bendigo’s run in the final 18 minutes.
Halfway through the third quarter, Hobart led 69-59 as an attack led by coach Anthony Stewart, Chuck Long and Matt Smith appeared to have all the answers.
Although the previous round’s MVP, Mark Banovic was being brilliantly guarded by Braves’ captain Warren Randall, the Chargers showed they had many attacking options.
A three-pointer by Adam Tanner was followed by consecutive baskets by Chris Novak as the Braves trailed 80-74 late in the third.
A Kevin Probert three-pointer right on the buzzer turned the heat up.
A Probert drive netted two more points, but Nash’s three meant Hobart still led by four.
The Chargers then broke away to a nine-point lead as Smith and Long were on target.
Tanner’s two was followed by a Randall three-pointer as the Braves found their range.
Teams traded baskets, which included a slam-dunk by Trannon.
A Randall steal and lay-up made it 95-all at 1.58 to play.
Stewart was on target from the foul line, but the Braves refused to yield.
A chance to level scores was missed, but Probert’s defensive steal and lay-up levelled scores at 33 seconds to go.
Although outnumbered in the rebound duels, the Braves won possession after a Chargers’ shot went astray.
The ball ended up with Trannon for another slam as Bendigo regained the lead with 1sfr1/2 seconds to go.
Bendigo led the contest for just 8 minutes 47 seconds, but was in front when the final buzzer sounded.
Braves’ coach Wayne Larkins was rapt with the team’s fighting spirit.
“Desperation played such a big part in our comeback,” Larkins said.
“In the first half we were not as desperate as Hobart, didn’t defend as strongly as we needed to, and shot from tough positions on the court.”
As the match rolled on the Braves started to force turnovers, limited Hobart’s second-chance shots, and most importantly, capitalised on the breaks they had worked to create. 
