Bendigo look to bounce back at home against Lightning
Bendigo will be looking to bounce back against Adelaide Lightning on Wednesday night as they return home to Red Energy Arena for the first time in 2024.
The Spirit gave Townsville a scare in Geelong on Sunday, getting to within a point in the final term, before the reigning champs stormed home to victory.
Head coach Kennedy Kereama said while he was disappointed with the way the game finished, there were plenty of positives to take out of it against the competition’s best.
“I’m disappointed in terms of how the game finished for us, but we kept Townsville to below their average in a lot of things so there’s some satisfaction in that,” he said.
Wednesday’s clash against the Lightning, a team the Spirit have already beaten twice this season, comes amid a busy schedule of six games in 15 days.
But Kereama felt the team were prepared for that challenge.
“It’s a very busy schedule coming up,” he said.
“If you want to be a pro basketballer, that’s the situation. There’s games every few days.
“The trainings are reduced and it becomes more about video and quick adjustments, almost like tournament play.
“We’re prepared for what’s ahead of us and obviously there’s a lot of very important games.”
Bendigo prevailed 81-77 last time the two sides met, in Geelong last month, with import Mehryn Kraker leading the way with a team-high 20 points.
Ally Wilson, who starred against the Fire on Sunday, also chipped in with 15 points, four rebounds and four assists.
Adelaide duo Lauren Mansfield and Isabelle Bourne, who combined for a remarkable 53 points in that game, will be a couple of players Bendigo need to stop to make it 3-0 in the head-to-head series.
GAME DETAILS
Spirit v Lightning
Red Energy Arena
Wednesday, January 10
Tip-off at 5pm EDT