Spirit aiming for third win in a row against Flyers

Bendigo Spirit will be gunning for a third win on the trot when they face Southside Flyers on the road on Wednesday.

The Spirit got their finals hopes back on track after consecutive home wins against Adelaide and Canberra respectively last week.

After four losses to start the season, head coach Kennedy Kereama feels the team has been building nicely since to jump to a 6-8 record and sixth on the WNBL ladder.

“From a team perspective, we’ve been building some really good momentum and the group is really settled,” Kereama said.

Kereama has been particularly impressed with his team’s third quarters of late.

The Spirit piled on 30-11 in Sunday’s big win over the Capitals at Red Energy Arena after a 20-10 third term against the Lightning on Wednesday.

With another tight turnaround between games amid a busy schedule, Kereama highlighted the importance of squad depth.

“We’ve got quick games, quick turnarounds,” he said.

“We’ve been able to play eight players for the majority of Sunday’s game and been able to play some of our younger players towards the end of the games.

“What this group is doing a great job of is maximising very concentrated times of training with video and scout and quick turnarounds.

“They’re all doing a great job of recovering and doing all the right things during their down time to get themselves ready to play again.”

The Spirit and Flyers haven’t played against each other since Round 6 when Southside prevailed 76-51 on their home court.

Nyadiew Puoch (17 points and nine rebounds) and Mercedes Russell (10 points and 11 rebounds) starred for the victors that day, while captain Kelsey Griffin (16 points and seven rebounds) was Bendigo’s best.

GAME DETAILS

Spirit v Flyers

Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre

Wednesday, January 17

Tip-off at 7pm EDT