Spirit return to winners’ list with dominant performance in Adelaide
Following a short Christmas break, the Bendigo Spirit have found themselves back on the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) winners’ list, notching a clinical 28-point win over the Adelaide Lightning away from home.
The Round 9 opener was sent up as a tantalising clash between two top four sides on the ladder, with Adelaide coming off three consecutive victories, whilst the Spirit were looking to bounce back after two uncharacteristic losses in Round 8.
Having not met since Round 1 – where the Spirit came out 14-point winners – both teams were buoyed by the inclusion of key personnel from that clash; captains Kelsey Griffin (Spirit) and Steph Talbot (Lightning). However, the Lightning were without their import player, Japreece Dean – who had surgery for a fractured hand on Monday – who was a big loss after top-scoring for the Lightning in that Round 1 encounter.
For the first time in the 2024/25 WNBL season, Bendigo were boosted by Griffin taking to the court as part of the Spirit’s starting five. Alongside, Marinna Tolo, Sami Whitcomb and Veronica Burton – all with WNBA playing experience – along with WNBL game record holder, Kelly Wilson, it was a formidable line up, with the Spirit having the luxury of having the experience of Casey Samuels and Abbey Wehrung ready to go on the bench.
The Lightning weren’t intimated however, getting out to an early lead and capitalising on the Spirit’s shaky start, where they had three turnovers inside the first three minutes. It didn’t take long for Bendigo to find their feet however, going on to score 20-0 within the next six minutes, which guided them to a handsome 24-13 lead at quarter time.
Much was made about the potential matchup of Whitcomb on Talbot heading into the game, and at the first change, the Spirit star had the wood over the Adelaide captain. After only scoring nine points in the Spirit’s previous game against the Flyers – her lowest outing for the season thus far – Whitcomb had already notched 15 points for the Spirit by quarter time. For the Lightning, Talbot was also their top scorer at the first break, but with only four points to her name.
Bendigo continued to build on their 11-point first quarter lead in the second term, with a huge 28-20 second quarter, extending their lead to 19 at the main break. Griffin was huge in the second term, already having a double-double to her name by halftime, with 12 points and 10 rebounds for the half.
The Spirit would go on to win the third term as well – 25-14 – to extend their lead to 30 at the final change. Playing some very measured basketball, Bendigo head coach, Kennedy Kereama, brought on his full completement of bench players with less than a minute to go, with one eye ahead to a tough week on the road, where the Spirit will next travel to Townsville to take on the Fire in four days’ time, before heading south to Sydney to take on the Flames two days later.
Kereama continued this rolling over of players to bookend the final term, showing excellent management of his experienced list. Adelaide went on to narrowly win the final term of the match – 20-18 – reducing the final margin slightly, with the final score reading 95-67 in the Spirit’s favour.
It was a comprehensive win for the Spirit – who have thus far averaged 86 points per game this season – against the number one team for defence in the comp in Adelaide.
In a tight tussle between Griffin and Whitcomb, it was the Spirit captain who took Player of the Game honours, finishing with 23 points, 14 rebounds, a steal and a block. Whitcomb again came close to another double-double of her own, finishing with 20 points, 9 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 steals and a block, and – along with Griffin, Tolo, Wehrung and Samuels – was one of five Spirit players to reach double figures for the match.
Isobel Borlase led the stats for the Lightning, finishing with 18 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks and a steal.
Post-match, Whitcomb said her side where please not just to be back on the winners’ list, but with their overall performance, highlighted by their selflessness on court.
“It was a good first quarter – we got out the way that we wanted to, and continued on from there.
“We have really great individual talent,” Whitcomb continued, “but what I think makes us good is we’re always willing to pass off a good look for a better one.”
The Spirit will bookend the Round 9 fixture, when they take on the Townsville Fire on the road on New Year’s Eve. Tip-off is 8pm AEDT on Tuesday 31 December, with the game to be broadcast via 9Now.