Two in a row! Bendigo win overtime epic against Lightning

Bendigo Spirit made it back-to-back Women’s National Basketball League wins after prevailing in an overtime classic against Adelaide Lightning at Adelaide Arena on Saturday night.

Ally Wilson was the late hero, making important plays at both ends of the floor in the final two minutes as the Spirit held their nerve to prevail 70-65.

Wilson finished with an equal team-high 16 points to go with four rebounds and four assists.

Mehryn Kraker also contributed 16, with Abbey Wehrung (10) reaching double digits as well.

Captain Kelsey Griffin was influential in her return from a minor hamstring issue which saw her miss last week’s win over Sydney, making her presence felt in the paint with a team-high 11 rebounds to go with eight points.

Griffin’s 10 defensive boards helped the Spirit get on top of that area in a telling stat in the final result.

The scores were tied at 60-apiece at the end of regular time after Ally Wilson hit a late free throw with 13 seconds left to send the game into overtime.

It was a see-sawing extra time with the lead changing multiple times as the two teams went blow for blow.

Ally Wilson nailed a clutch three with two minutes left on the clock to give the Spirit a 67-65 advantage.

After Kelsey Griffin’s three was disallowed due to a controversial shot-clock violation call, Wilson drew a charging foul at the other end in a game-defining passage of play.

Abbey Wehrung then put the game on ice with a layup in the dying seconds as the Spirit got their finals aspirations back on track in thrilling fashion.

Bendigo survived a late scare just to get a chance in overtime after giving up a 15-point third-quarter lead to let their opponents back into the contest.

Their next assignment is another road trip – this time to Dandenong to face Southside Flyers next Saturday.