Spirit end gallant Flames’ WNBL25 season
The WNBL25 season is over for the courageous Sydney Flames, who lost game two of their semi-final series 91-74 to the Bendigo Spirit on Thursday night at Quaycentre.
Match summary
Captain Cayla George got the Flames started with a crafty left-handed lay-up, which was swiftly followed by scores Isabella Brancatisano and Carla Pitman. When George landed a fadeaway jumper, the score was 9-3 to the hosts – which became 13-3 when Tahlia Tupaea’s triple dropped in. Despite the best efforts of Brancatisano, the visitors closed the margin to just five (20-15) with 3.59 left on the clock. The Hoops Capital side kept their noses in front thanks to the strong play of Tupaea, McKenne Dale and Bonnie Deas – who’s clutch shot gave the hosts an eight-point lead at the first change.
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Sami Whitcomb’s and-one on the first possession of the second closed the margin, which acted as a catalyst for Bendigo’s fightback – starting the term on an 11-0 run. That was ended when Tupaea found George for a triple. Those two continued to lead the charge for the harbour city side, but the Spirit had all the answers in the second – seeing their lead grow to double-digits. But Tupaea ensured the hosts went into half-time only down by nine (53-44).
That margin closed to six when George nailed a triple, which was followed by a driving lay-up by Deas and three-pointer by Tupaea. When Deas and Brancatisano landed shots from downtown, the deficit closed to just three. Scores by Deas and Pitman kept it close but a three by Kelsey Griffin as time expired made it 73-67 at the final change.
DEAS IS DOIN’ IT ALL 💪
Watch via ESPN! #BringTheHeat pic.twitter.com/SNmFXxQyj5
— Sydney Flames (@TheSydneyFlames) February 27, 2025
A 5-2 start to the term by Bendigo saw that lead extend to nine despite a fadeaway bucket by George. A tough Whitcomb score in the paint made 80-69 with 6.20, forcing Guy Molloy to call a time-out. The Flames’ defence continued to fight but a triple by Casey Samuels extended the visitors’ lead to 16. But the Flames never stop trying, with a George triple keeping them within striking distance. In the end, Bendigo proved too strong and qualified for the WNBL25 grand final series by defeating Sydney by 17 points.
Where the match was decided
The minor premiers secure the victory on the back of superior statistics in assists (25-18), free-throw percentage (93-50), steals (9-3), points in the paint (30-24), points off turnovers (20-8), bench points (14-3), fast-break points (8-2) and turnovers (11-17).
Key moment
At the final change, it was a two-possession game but an 18-7 final term secured the Spirit the win.
Player of the game
Tupaea paced the Flames with 24 points including four triples, with George (15 points, six rebounds and six dimes), Pitman (12 points, seven boards and five assists) and Deas (12 points and five rebounds) also reaching double-figures in the defeat.
What’s next
The Flames’ WNBL25 campaign is now officially over, with the Hoops Capital now transitioning into the off-season before plans start to begin to take place for next year.