SIXTH and fifth in the Cygnett WNBL standings, Bendigo Spirit and Sydney Flames face a huge match in Friday night\u2019s eighth round of the basketball season.<\/p>\n
This season\u2019s meetings stand at one-all as Spirit makes it way to Sydney\u2019s Quaycentre.<\/p>\n
In round four Bendigo overturned a 15-point deficit to score an 82-66 win against Sydney at Red Energy Arena.<\/p>\n
First contest of the 2023-24 campaign for these clubs ended in a 68-62 victory for Sydney in round two on Mildura\u2019s court.<\/p>\n
Spirit coach Kennedy Kereama said there was plenty at stake going into the Christmas break and with a win and loss last weekend, Bendigo has a three and six record.<\/p>\n
Spirit tipped off the round by scoring an 81-77 win against Adelaide Lightning at The Arena in Geelong.<\/p>\n
On Sunday it was a showdown with the in-form Southside Flyers.<\/p>\n
Bendigo led by eight points in the second, but a 20-6 run from late in the half into the early minutes of term three put the Flyers in control.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere were plenty of momentum changes throughout the game,\u201d Kereama said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe did a great job defensively, especially in the first quarter and limited the impact their talls [Lauren Jackson, Mercedes Russell and Carley Ernst] would have.\u201d<\/p>\n
What Spirit could not halt was Southside\u2019s guards in Bec Cole and Maddi Rocci who scored 24 points apiece as Flyers won 91-81.<\/p>\n
\u201cAgain we showed our ability to compete, but it was not the result we wanted,\u201d Kereama said. \u201cThe match in Sydney is incredibly important.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Flames will be fired up after a 48-70 loss to the ladder-leading Townsville Fire at Quaycentre on Saturday.<\/p>\n
A tough stretch for Bendigo includes the December 30 clash with Melbourne Boomers at Parkville.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
SIXTH and fifth in the Cygnett WNBL standings, Bendigo Spirit and Sydney Flames face a huge match in Friday night\u2019s eighth round of the basketball season. This season\u2019s meetings stand at one-all as Spirit makes it way to Sydney\u2019s Quaycentre. In round four Bendigo overturned a 15-point deficit to score an 82-66 win against Sydney […]<\/p>\n