They’d have preferred a smoother path than how it played out, but the Canberra Gunners’ have officially booked their place in the NBL1 East Finals, with their title defence to begin this Saturday night.

The Gunners will host old rivals, the Maitland Mustangs, in a sudden death Elimination Final at the Southern Cross Basketball Stadium in Tuggeranong.

Canberra’s 88-72 win over the Sydney Comets last Saturday was the first piece of the home final puzzle. Maitland beating Newcastle, but then losing to Bankstown on Sunday, meant the Gunners and Mustangs were level on 12 wins for the season.

This then pushed calculations back to the Round 3 meeting between the two sides back, in which James Toohey’s buzzer-beating jump shot was enough for the Gunners to win 75-73 up in Maitland.

It was a massive moment when it happened back in April, and three months later, it proved decisive in the Gunners claiming the home Elimination Final hosting rights.

The match-up will be the fourth time in five seasons the Gunners and Maitland have played in an NBL1 East finals game, including twice in Grand Finals.

Tip-off is at 7.30pm on Saturday night, and tickets are now on sale, via Flicket.

NBL1 East Elimination Final: Canberra Gunners (6th) v Maitland Mustangs (7th) from 7.30pm AEST, Southern Cross Basketball Stadium in Tuggeranong, Saturday 25 July.

Images: Floyd Mallon (top), Rex Bergas (bottom)