BENDIGO Spirit faces two opponents on the rebound from defeat in the space of three days when round two in the Cygnett Women’s Basketball League is played.<\/p>\n
After a hard-fought 14-point victory at home against Adelaide Lightning last Saturday night, Spirit takes to the Australian Institute of Sport court for Friday night’s clash with the UC Capitals.<\/p>\n
Canberra’s team was on the end of a 17-point loss to Sydney Flames in round one.<\/p>\n
The Caps and Spirit clash tips off at 6.30pm.<\/p>\n
On Sunday the Bendigo team returns to Red Energy Arena to take on league newcomer Geelong United from 12.30pm.<\/p>\n
Geelong went down to Townsville Fire by 26 points.<\/p>\n
In his third season as Spirit coach, Kennedy Kereama was rapt with an 18-1 run to close out an 84-70 result.<\/p>\n
“To keep Adelaide to seven points in the final quarter was exceptional,” Kereama said.<\/p>\n
A line-up which has plenty of scoring punch also showed its defensive prowess, especially in the opening five minutes and the last five minutes.<\/p>\n
“We can measure defence in so many ways. A goal is to get three defensive stops in a row. The team locked in to doing that incredibly well in the last quarter.”<\/p>\n
Bendigo was without two important pieces \u2013 Kelsey Griffin (finger) and Ashlee Hannan (shin awareness).<\/p>\n
Team-mates in the Opals run to bronze at the Paris Olympics, guard Sami Whitcomb and centre Marianna Tolo starred in their Spirit debut as WNBL games record-holder Kelly Wilson dished out seven assists.<\/p>\n
Whitcomb’s match-high 27 points included six three-pointers as Tolo won 14 rebounds and poured in 13 points.<\/p>\n
Casey Samuels added 21 points as Veronica Burton’s defensive skill-set was reflected in eight rebounds.<\/p>\n
Consecutive three-pointers by Abbey Wehrung who ended up on 13 points sparked Spirit after Lightning led 69-66 at seven minutes to go.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
BENDIGO Spirit faces two opponents on the rebound from defeat in the space of three days when round two in the Cygnett Women’s Basketball League is played. After a hard-fought 14-point victory at home against Adelaide Lightning last Saturday night, Spirit takes to the Australian Institute of Sport court for Friday night’s clash with the […]<\/p>\n