Spirit claim huge scalp with win over Boomers
Bendigo Spirit have claimed their biggest scalp of the WNBL season, defeating powerhouse Melbourne Boomers on their home court.
The Spirit produced a brilliant come-from-behind victory at Parkville Stadium to finish the year on a high, prevailing 81-78 in a nail-biter.
Alicia Froling starred with a double-double against her twin sister Keely and the Boomers, amassing a game-high 23 points to go with 12 rebounds in a dominant performance.
Froling had a huge hand in the comeback, scoring some important buckets in the third quarter as the Spirit took the lead just before the final change after trailing for most of the evening.
Bendigo had to overcome as deficit of nine points midway through the third term, coming home with a wet sail for a thrilling victory.
It was a see-sawing finish with Melbourne taking the lead briefly before the Spirit held their nerve as player-of-the-game Froling fittingly scored the lead-changing layup with 33 seconds left.
Evergreen veteran Kelly Wilson then hit two important free throws with nine seconds remaining to make the margin three points.
Bendigo then managed to defend strongly to stop the Boomers from having an outside shot to tie the scores.
Captain Kelsey Griffin fell two rebounds shy of joining Froling in double-double territory, finishing with 12 points and eight rebounds.
Import Mehryn Kraker (12 points) and Kelly Wilson (11) also reached double figures, while Ally Wilson and Abbey Wehrung had five assists apiece.
Bendigo’s next assignment is against reigning champs Townsville in Geelong on January 7.