BENDIGO Spirit marked a remarkable second half turnaround against Sydney Flames on Saturday night to claim its first victory of the 2023-24 Cygnett Women\u2019s National Basketball League season.<\/p>\n
After a nil-four start, Bendigo had to bring the heat for its second home game at Red Energy Arena.<\/p>\n
There was plenty to play for, especially for Spirit coach Kennedy Kereama in his 100th WNBL match.<\/p>\n
Midway through the second term it was the Flames who held a 15-point lead with Sydney\u2019s break was built on five consecutive three-point plays as Spirit added just five points.<\/p>\n
The last two minutes of the half would be crucial as Spirit cut the margin to nine points.<\/p>\n
In the fourth minute of quarter three Bendigo was up 53-51 after Alicia Froling was fouled on her shot which fell and then converted from the free-throw line.<\/p>\n
As Spirit\u2019s shooting accuracy and defensive intensity lifted, Sydney\u2019s dropped dramatically.<\/p>\n
Brilliant from three-point range in the first half the Flames could not regain their spark.<\/p>\n
For Bendigo there were many outstanding performers as it won the third, 28-9.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur third quarter was exceptional,\u201d Kereama said. \u201cTo hold a team as talented as Sydney to 20 points in a half was a superb effort.\u201d<\/p>\n
One of many key contributors to the victory was Alicia Froling who scored an equal team-high 17 points and won seven rebounds.<\/p>\n
In a match marked by many moments, Froling\u2019s defensive block late in the third, and another by Mehryn Kraker typified Spirit\u2019s desperation and want for victory.<\/p>\n
\u201cThose sorts of plays lift the whole team, and the fans,\u201d Froling said.<\/p>\n
Even when down by 15 in the second, Froling said the team\u2019s spirits were high.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe key was to keep working as a group and stick to the game plan,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Kereama said a free-throw percentage of 88 per cent and greater discipline in defence had been two focus areas for this match.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur ability to control tempo was also great,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Spirit captain and four-time WNBA champion Kelsey Griffin did not take to the court because of lingering concerns with her hamstring injury.<\/p>\n
For Bendigo it was a case of who\u2019s on court, not who isn\u2019t.<\/p>\n
Among the many highs in Bendigo\u2019s victory was the play of Micah Simpson in the last 48 seconds in which she won a defensive rebound and was on the end of a Kelly Wilson assist to score two points.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere were many great moments, that was right up there,\u201d said Kereama.<\/p>\n
\u201cMicah has worked so hard in training and the response of all the team, especially the starting five, to her play was incredible.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Flames coach Guy Molloy and league legend Cayla George the result was incredibly disappointing.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a tale of two halves,\u201d Molloy said. \u201cWe were very good for most of the first half.<\/p>\n
\u201cIll-discipline was costly. \u201cWe lacked discipline and composure as the game went on.\u201d<\/p>\n
The long-time coach said credit was due for Spirit\u2019s play, but Flames also rued shot selection and errors in the second half.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe just didn\u2019t play the way we can,\u201d Molloy said.<\/p>\n
A WNBA champion with Las Vegas Aces in 2023, Tokyo Olympian and four-time WNBL champion, Cayla George said the Flames line-up would learn plenty from defeat in Bendigo.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs disappointing as this result is, we stick together, work hard and look to the opportunity to bounce back next round,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Next challenge for Spirit is in Adelaide next Saturday night on Lightning\u2019s court from 7pm.<\/p>\n
The Lightning is on the rebound from a 17-point loss at home to Townsville Fire.<\/p>\n
In the lead-up to Christmas, Bendigo Spirit has an away game on 9 December against Southside Flyers.<\/p>\n
Spirit faces Adelaide on 15 December at Geelong Arena and two days later is back at Red Energy Arena to play Southside from 5.30pm.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
BENDIGO Spirit marked a remarkable second half turnaround against Sydney Flames on Saturday night to claim its first victory of the 2023-24 Cygnett Women\u2019s National Basketball League season. After a nil-four start, Bendigo had to bring the heat for its second home game at Red Energy Arena. There was plenty to play for, especially for […]<\/p>\n