Perth Lynx Preview – Away to Bendigo Spirit
For the second time in two weeks the top two teams in the WNBL do battle on Thursday night with the Perth Lynx on the road for the last time before Christmas up against the undefeated Bendigo Spirit.
The Lynx and Spirit are the only two teams in the WNBL so far this season with more than five wins to their name and now they lock horns at Bendigo’s Red Energy Arena on Thursday night.
The Spirit come into the match up on their home floor with a perfect 9-0 record on the season while the Lynx are sitting in second spot at 7-3 and looking to back up last Thursday night’s home victory against the University of Canberra Capitals.
Last time the two teams met was only two weeks ago at Bendat Basketball Centre and while neither team shot the ball great on that occasion, it was a tremendous battle eventually with Bendigo prevailing 72-66.
That snapped a five-game winning streak at the time for the Lynx while the Spirit kept their undefeated season going in what turned out a tight and tense affair setting the stage for a mouth watering rematch two weeks later.
While the Lynx only shot 40 per cent from the field in that game to go with 5/29 from three-point range and 5/13 from the foul line, and the Spirit went 37 per cent overall with 5/29 from downtown and 11/13 from the stripe, it didn’t deter from the contest.
In the end, Bendigo produced 25 points to 13 in the fourth quarter for the six-point win with former Lynx captain Sami Whitcomb delivering a triple-double consisting of 16 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists even while going 6/17 from the floor.
The Lynx did a lot right on the night including winning the rebound battle 50 to 42 with 14 of those at the offensive end for 15 second chance points.
Perth also had 14 fast break points to just two from Bendigo but in the end having a rough shooting night and also conceding 17 turnovers from which the Spirit scored 20 points from proved to be the difference.
In that game, Miela Sowah finished with 25 points, six rebounds and five assists on 11/15 shooting from the floor and 3/5 from downtown. However, the rest of the team managed just 41 points on 17/55 shooting and 2/24 from three-point range.
Laeticia Amihere did produce 16 points, 11 rebounds and two blocked shots while it was also co-captain Amy Atwell’s first game of the season and she got through 17 minutes with four points and two rebounds.
Since that game, the Lynx had a short turnaround less than 48 hours and lost in Sydney to the Flames but then hit back last Thursday night at home with the 87-63 win against the UC Capitals.
In that win, Sowah had another 24 points and seven rebounds with Amihere adding 15 points and 16 boards, Atwell 15 points and two assists, and Ally Wilson 10 points, six rebounds and four assists.
Bendigo has continued its undefeated season since with another win at home against the Townsville Fire by five points back on Saturday to improve to the perfect 9-0 record on the season.
The stage is set for another fascinating Thursday night match up and there are tantalising battles all over the floor, but none more so than Steph Gorman attempting to quell the influence of Whitcomb for the Spirit.
Having been the NBL1 West Best Defensive Player back in 2023 and again being in the mix for that award in 2024, Gorman has brought her defensive prowess into a second WNBL season.
She is fresh off a standout shutdown job last Thursday limiting Jade Melbourne to two points and six turnovers on 0/4 shooting, and now her task is to try and repeat the dose on another Opals and WNBA guard in the WNBL.
CYGNETT WNBL SEASON 2024/25
Round 8 – Perth Lynx v Bendigo Spirit
Venue – Red Energy Arena, Bendigo
Tip-off – Thursday December 19, 3:30pm AWST
How to watch – Live, free and on demand on 9Now