Spirit looking to bounce back against Lynx in Perth

Bendigo will be looking for their third win in four matches when they tackle Perth Lynx at Bendat Basketball Centre on Saturday night.

The Spirit recorded back-to-back home wins over Adelaide and Canberra respectively last week before a tough loss to Southside Flyers on the road on Wednesday.

The team arrived in Perth on Thursday and hit the training courts on Friday afternoon ahead of a crucial clash for their finals aspirations.

“(Wednesday’s loss) is not the type of basketball that this group wants to play, but you do have to wipe it and move on quickly,” Spirit head coach Kennedy Kereama said.

“You can’t be bringing the remnants of that game into this game, we know it’s a new game and a different challenge.”

Star import Aari McDonald was the difference last time the two sides met at Bendat Basketball Centre back in Round 3, scoring a game-high 34 points to go with six rebounds and three assists in her team’s 86-76 win over the Spirit.

McDonald won’t suit up for the Lynx this time around due to a knee injury which is likely to keep her out until close to play-offs.

But Kereama knows Perth have plenty of other scoring weapons.

“I’m really hoping that Aari has a speedy recovery and is back on her feet soon,” he said.

“It’s probably similar to us in Round 3, we had Kelsey Griffin and Sophia Locandro out.

“Maybe it gives you an edge but they’ve still got Amy Atwell, Anneli Maley and Emily Potter playing some really good basketball.

“There’s a lot we still have to take into consideration, they’re really well coached and our best basketball will be all that’s good enough to best this team.”

Alicia Froling posted a double-double against the Lynx in Round 3, finishing with 18 points and 11 rebounds and will be important in the Spirit’s hopes of leaving WA with the W.

GAME DETAILS

Spirit v Lynx

Bendat Basketball Centre

Saturday, January 20

Tip-off at 9.30pm EDT