The Pirates — less than a year removed from a miserable 2-10, second last finish — have earned a home final after a victory against a red-hot Mildura on Saturday in a tough contest on the road.
It was the first time the Heat had lost in their own house this year.
It was not looking good for the Pirates late in the game though, trailing 72-60 with eight minutes to play.
Then the Pirates offence went into overdrive for the rest of the game, going on a 24-9 run to close out the game and win 84-81.
The lead changed on multiple occasions in a tight final few minutes.
‘‘The last minute really was tough,’’ coach Leo Tenace said.
‘‘A few baskets each way made the last moments a bit of a heartstopper. Fortunately we got the lead off a poor pass that resulted in a turnover, and we had a couple of foul shots late to get the win.’’
Luke Rosendale continued his dominant season with another 25 points, draining four more long-range bombs to add to his season tally.
Mildura will be lamenting its lack of discipline after Echuca hit 16 points from the charity stripe.
‘‘We didn’t shoot our best from the line during the game,’’ Tenace said.
‘‘But those 16 points were huge for the team in the end. We got on the board when we needed to and it got us across the line.’’
The importance of the win came to light an hour later.
Maryborough, the side which had knocked the Pirates off on their own floor the previous week, fell to Bendigo to secure top spot for the Pirates.
Though Tenace said his team was not paying much attention.
‘‘Our focus was on what we were doing,’’ he said.
‘‘We went into that game knowing that a win would lock down a home final at the least, and probably top spot.
‘‘We found out about the result a bit later and that added to the night, but it wasn’t our focus.
‘‘We were more concerned about winning, and that was one of the best wins we have had with this team.’’
Echuca will have a week off to prepare for its first round final at home, with a win sending it to Bendigo for the conference final the following week.
For the Pirates, it will be just another week of training on the hardwood.
‘‘We won’t be changing anything up,’’ Tenace said.
‘‘What we have done has worked for us so far, so we plan to stick with that for the rest of the season and back ourselves in to get the win.’’
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