Spirit spring upset in WNBL

A SURGING Bendigo Spirit played the role of spoiler to perfection in the WNBL’s Indigenous round.

On Sunday, sixth-placed Bendigo made it five victories from their past six game as they won 68-65 at fourth-placed Melbourne Boomers, who were celebrating the 10th anniversary of the-then Bulleen Melbourne Boomers WNBL Championship win.

Irrepressible Bendigo forward Anneli Maley followed up her 19-point, 19-rebound effort in the 78-70 win over Southside Flyers three days earlier with a 17-point 15-board haul against the Boomers, who had head coach Guy Molloy absent due to COVID health and safety protocols.

Convincing wins for Adelaide and Canberra lifted them to first and second respectively and dropped Perth to third.

Playing at home in Western Australia on Saturday for the first time in 776 days, the Perth Lynx were upset 66-63 by last-placed Sydney, who were coming off six straight losses.

Also, on Saturday Adelaide cruised to a 78-57 victory over injury-hit Townsville, who suffered a fourth straight loss

Alanna Smith bullied the Fire down low, scoring 24 points and adding 10 rebounds, to help the Lightning to a 52-37 advantage on the boards.

Canberra, who smashed the Flyers 106-64 in Dandenong on Saturday, posted the highest team score of the season and the 42-point final score margin was the biggest in the competition WNBL this season.

Brittany Sykes and Kelsey Griffin headed the Canberra charge with 24 and 20 points respectively, while Sara Blicavs shone for the Flyers with 23 and 10 rebounds after scoring 24 points in the loss to Bendigo.

– BY ADRIAN WARREN/ AAP