Spirit takes on Flames in Mildura

BENDIGO Spirit will be aiming to douse the Sydney Flames for a third time this Cygnett Women’s National Basketball League season when they play in Mildura this Sunday.

Tip-off for the Spirit and Flames clash will be 3pm at the Mildura Sporting Precinct on the corner of Deakin Avenue and Sixteenth Street.

The TAC Country Road Game is proudly supported by Mildura Rural City Council and Powercor.

Spirit will mark a third WNBL hit-out in Mildura.

Spirit’s players, coaches and support staff have enjoyed an extended break since the 92-71 victory in Sydney on January 2.

What was Spirit’s 11th win of the season was achieved through outstanding play by captain Kelsey Griffin who racked up 18 points, 13 rebounds and four assists; and guard Veronica Burton, 20 points and five rebounds.

A four-time WNBL champion, two with Bendigo and two with Canberra, Griffin earned player of the match honours once again.

Bendigo showed it has plenty of attacking options as Sami Whitcomb, 18 points; centre Marianna Tolo, 17; and Abbey Wehrung, 14, were to the fore.

The Kennedy Kereama-coached Spirit seized control of the clash with the Flames as it won the second and third quarters, 25-17 and 26-12.

Major threats to Spirit’s bid for another home victory, albeit in Mildura, will be Olympian Cayla George and the skilful Celeste Taylor.

Victory in Sydney capped a gruelling run of three matches in seven days for Spirit.

A 95-67 victory in Adelaide on December 27 was followed by the 76-65 victory in Townsville on New Year’s eve.

After a nine-nil start to the season, Spirit’s streak was broken in a three-point loss to Perth Lynx in Bendigo on December 19.

Just three days later and Bendigo was beaten, 91-88 by the Kristi Harrower-coached Southside Flyers at the State Basketball Centre.