Spirit hold off Boomers for third win in a row

Bendigo have held off a spirited final-quarter charge from Melbourne Boomers at Red Energy Arena to win their third game in a row.

The 80-70 victory, off the back of a huge third term, sees the Spirit keep their finals hopes alive and clinch the series against the Boomers.

Captain Kelsey Griffin starred in a stunning all-round performance, racking up a team-high 20 points and eight rebounds to go with a game-high five steals and three assists.

Ally Wilson (13 points, eight rebounds and four assists) was another big performer, falling two rebounds shy of a double-double, while Alicia Froling (15 points and six rebounds) also reached double figures.

It was a hotly-contested opening half with neither side leading by more than five points.

Bendigo held a slender 39-37 advantage at the main break with sixth-woman-of-the-year contender Froling providing a real spark off the bench with 10 first-half points and six rebounds.

Froling enjoyed another win over her twin sister Keely on the eve of their 28th birthday.

The Spirit now go into the FIBA break with an even 9-9 record, leapfrogging Perth Lynx in fifth spot on the WNBL ladder.

Their next assignment is against the Capitals in Canberra on February 15 in what will be a double celebration with league games-record holder Kelly Wilson playing her 450th WNBL game and Griffin reaching 150 as a Spirit player.