Rees sets tone as Pioneers eye unbeaten run

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Mt Gambier stayed unbeaten but had to earn it, holding off Ballarat in a double-overtime game behind Kelsey Rees (16 points, 16 rebounds) and Abigail Prohaska (18 points).

Carla Pitman’s late-game control helped settle key possessions when the game was on the line.

Sandringham took a different approach, scoring 102 in a 29-point win over Melbourne, with Stephanie Reid (25 points, eight assists) and Klara Wischer (22 points, 11 rebounds) setting the tone early and maintaining it.

Ballarat’s Casey Samuels (27 points, 12 rebounds) and Melbourne’s Zitina Aokuso (28 points) produced strong individual performances despite the losses, showing the depth across the competition.

Round 4 becomes about consistency.

Mt Gambier now needs to back up a tight win, while Sandringham looks to maintain scoring and control. The next set of games will start to separate teams at the top from the rest.

Round 3 separates how teams are winning

Round 3 wasn’t just about results — it showed how teams are getting it done.

Mt Gambier won a two-point game in double overtime.
Sandringham scored 102 and controlled from the start.
Eltham stacked wins across the round.

Different styles, same outcome — wins.

Mt Gambier Pioneers 96 def. Ballarat Miners 94 (2OT) – Watch the Replay

Mt Gambier stayed unbeaten, holding off Ballarat in a double-overtime contest.

The game stayed tight across four quarters and two extra periods, with neither side able to break separation.

Kelsey Rees (16 points, 16 rebounds) and Lara Edmanson (14 points, 13 rebounds) controlled the glass, while Abigail Prohaska added 18 points and made key plays late.

Ballarat had strong production through Casey Samuels (27 points, 12 rebounds) and Abigail Wehrung (24 points, six threes), but couldn’t finish in the final possessions.

Mt Gambier shot 36.6% but created extra chances (17 offensive rebounds) and executed late.

Sandringham Sabres 102 def. Melbourne Tigers 73 – Watch the Replay

Sandringham controlled the game from the first quarter and never gave it back.

The Sabres scored 102 points on 50.7% shooting, building the margin across every quarter.

Stephanie Reid (25 points, eight assists) led the offence, with Klara Wischer (22 points, 11 rebounds) providing interior presence.

Melbourne had scoring from Zitina Aokuso (28 points) and Isabella Brancatisano (23), but couldn’t match Sandringham’s pace or efficiency.

Other Round 3 results

Eltham Wildcats (2–0 weekend)‍

• 78–70 vs Frankston
• 86–74 vs Ballarat
• Won both games without blowing teams out, but controlled key stretches.

Diamond Valley Eagles 90 def. Geelong United 51‍

• Clear gap — Geelong struggled to generate offence.

Kilsyth Cobras (split weekend)‍

• 82–80 win vs Waverley
• 81–74 loss vs Frankston
• Competitive both nights, but couldn’t sustain across the round.

Keilor Thunder (split weekend)‍

• 65–52 loss vs Sandringham
• 70–53 win vs Nunawading
• Responded after a loss with a controlled performance.

What Round 3 showed

• Mt Gambier can close tight games
• Sandringham can score and control tempo
• Eltham is stacking wins
• Middle teams are inconsistent
• Lower teams are still struggling to score

Round 4 Watch

Game of the Round – Mt Gambier vs Waverley: Mt Gambier looks to stay unbeaten while Waverley has a chance to disrupt the top group

Sandringham vs Knox: Test of pace vs structure

Eltham vs Geelong: Eltham expected to control — focus on execution

Round 4 Questions

• Can Mt Gambier keep closing tight games?
• Can Sandringham keep scoring at this level?
• Does Eltham keep building wins?
• Which mid-table team finds consistency?