BENDIGO Spirit is a win away from qualifying for the Cygnett Women\u2019s National Basketball League grand final series in the 2024-25 season.<\/p>\n
Spirit takes to the Sydney Flames court at Quaycentre this Thursday night after a nine-point victory in game one of their semi-final series played on Sunday at Red Energy Arena.<\/p>\n
After a nervous start to the club\u2019s first play-off match in 10 years, Bendigo seized control as it charged to a 51-23 lead by half-time.<\/p>\n
In a week where she earned the Suzy Batkovic Medal as league and the Spirit\u2019s most valuable player honours, Sami Whitcomb dominated the opening half of the semi-final.<\/p>\n
She had reached 20 points by the main break on her way to a game-high 26 points.<\/p>\n
The Paris Olympics bronze medallist also won 11 rebounds as Spirit won 76-67.<\/p>\n
A wealth of \u201cbig game\u201d experience in the Kennedy Kereama-coached Spirit squad was always going to be a deciding factor.<\/p>\n
A formidable line-up which achieved an 18-3 record in the home-and-away series includes four-time WNBL champions Kelsey Griffin and Kelly Wilson, Paris Olympian and three-time WNBL champion Marianna Tolo.<\/p>\n
Spirit also had the defensive prowess of Veronica Burton from the United States and scoring ability of Abbey Wehrung and Casey Samuels on court.<\/p>\n
A brilliant player in all parts of the court, Burton poured in 19 points and won five rebounds.<\/p>\n
Tolo racked up 10 points and seven rebounds in a match where Spirit outrebounded the Flames, 45-32.<\/p>\n
Leading rebounder for Bendigo was Kelsey Griffin on 12.<\/p>\n
A game tally of 10 points by Wehrung included three-of-five attempts from beyond the three-point arc as Samuels scored six points and won five rebounds.<\/p>\n
Although it was down 51-28 at half-time, Sydney Flames fought back strongly to win the second half, 39-25.<\/p>\n
Leading stats for Sydney were Tahlia Tupaea, 16 points, and Cayla George on 14 points and five rebounds.<\/p>\n
Other key contributors for the Flames were Carla Pittman, six points and five rebounds; Bonnie Deas, six points and four rebounds; Shaneice Swain and Isabella Bracatisiano on seven points each.<\/p>\n
The Guy Molloy-coached Flames will be aiming to take the momentum from their strong final quarter into Thursday\u2019s clash to keep their season alive.<\/p>\n
In the west it was Townsville which scored a 92-87 win against Perth Lynx in Perth on Saturday night.<\/p>\n
Fire will be back home for Wednesday night\u2019s clash with Lynx.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
BENDIGO Spirit is a win away from qualifying for the Cygnett Women\u2019s National Basketball League grand final series in the 2024-25 season. Spirit takes to the Sydney Flames court at Quaycentre this Thursday night after a nine-point victory in game one of their semi-final series played on Sunday at Red Energy Arena. After a nervous […]<\/p>\n