Rd 5 – Lightning vs Spirit Match Report

The Adelaide Lightning vs Bendigo Spirit match was a thriller on home soil. It was sixth on the ladder verses seventh and it was anyone’s ball game.

FIRST HALF

With good ball movement and attention to detail in offense, the Lightning were able to put some great buckets on the scoreboard early. To open the game, Isobel Borlase and Brianna Turner put on a show. Borlase hit the Lightning’s first two points. Turner followed by playing great defence and gathering her first block. The two stars intelligent basketball led to some impressive scoring. With great defensive intensity on display and patience in offensive, the Lightning looked solid heading into the second quarter.

Fighting through the Lightning’s intensity, the Spirit were never far behind. Hard attacks on the basket and some tough finishes drove Spirits aggression, bringing the early six – point margin back to an even ball game. On the offensive end, Alex Wilson worked hard to create opportunity for her teammates allowing Mehryn Kraker to hit some important threes. As the Spirits defence intensified in the second quarter, more transition baskets and fast-paced offences allowed the Spirit to push in front and take the lead at halftime.

SECOND HALF

Returning from the halftime break, the Spirit were firing. Their intense defence pressured the Lightning and more scoring opportunities arose. With a focus on ball movement, the Spirit made great decisions offensively and created a significant gap on the score board. Dominance from the Spirits’ Alex Wilson and Mehryn Kraker created a 16-point lead five-minutes into the half.

After a slow third quarter and the ball not dropping, the Lightning found some energy in the fourth and closed in on the Spirit’s lead. With three minutes to go in the final term, Brianna Turner and Isobel Borlase excited the home crowd by creating some important stops and big offensive opportunities bringing them back within 2 points. In the Lightning’s last offence, the ball landed in Isobel Borlase’s hands for the final shot. Her first shot was blocked, however she collected the loose ball and hit an extremely tough and impressive midrange to put them up by one. Unfortunately, the Spirit were sent to the foul line in the dying seconds and the buzzer went with an even scoreboard, sending the game into overtime.

Overtime was basket for basket however, some crucial turnovers from the Lightning enabled some fast-break scores for their opposition.
It was certainly a hard fought and exciting game with the Spirit eventual winners by five points.

For the Adelaide Lightning fans, our next game is at home on the 6th of December. Grab your tickets now and meet us there to watch the Lightning take on the Sydney Flames at the Adelaide 36ers Arena, 6:30pm. (Also streamed on ESPN).