Bendigo Spirit’s Round 9 win

BENDIGO Spirit is back among the winers following a 28-point win over the Adelaide Lightning in the WNBL.

The Round 9 opener resulted in a final score of 95-67 after Bendigo took the win at the Adelaide 36ers Arena on December 27.

The teams battled it out for the first time since Round 1, with Adelaide coming off three consecutive wins, while the Spirt were fighting their way back after two losses in Round 8.

Bendigo’s captain Kelsey Griffin was part of Spirit’s starting five for the first time in the 2024/25 WNBL season, alongside Marinna Tolo, Sami Whitcomb, Veronica Burton and Kelly Wilson, with Casey Samuels and Abbey Wehrung ready on the bench.

Lightening had an early start in the game, forcing three turnovers in the first three minutes before Bendigo found their rhythm, scoring 20-0 in the next six minutes.

By halftime Spirit was leading by 19 and Griffin had a double-double to her name, taking Player of the Game with 23 points and 14 rebounds, closely followed by Whitcomb on 20 points and four rebounds.

Tolo, Wehrung and Samuels joined Griffin and Whitcomb in reaching double figures for the match.

Isobel Borlase led the scoring for Adelaide, finishing with 18 points and four rebounds. Whitcomb said the team were pleased with their overall performance as well as being back on the winners list.

“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.

“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 take on Townsville Fire on New Year’s Eve.