BENIDIGO Spirit needs one more victory to be crowned the Cygnett Women\u2019s National Basketball League champions of the 2024-25 season.<\/p>\n
The Spirit tipped off the best-of-three grand final series against Townsville Fire by scoring a 70-58 victory in Wednesday night\u2019s showdown at Bendigo\u2019s Red Energy Arena.<\/p>\n
Heat was high from Fire as it led 31-20 nearing the midway point of the second quarter against a Bendigo line-up chasing the club\u2019s third championship.<\/p>\n
Strong defence by Townsville forced Bendigo into several low percentage shots.<\/p>\n
As Spirit shots rimmed out or were blocked it was Townsville which took charge.<\/p>\n
Unbeaten at home in an 18-3 run across the home-and-away series, Bendigo lifted its play at both ends of the court.<\/p>\n
Two of the keys in Bendigo\u2019s fightback were guard Veronica Burton and centre Marianna Tolo.<\/p>\n
Spirit ended the half by scoring eight points and kept Fire to just two more.<\/p>\n
A highlight in the final minutes of the half was the drive to, spin in the key and two-point shot by Abbey Wehrung.<\/p>\n
By the main break Townsville led 33-28, but confidence within the Bendigo squad and the hundreds of fans was on the rise.<\/p>\n
Six unanswered points by Tolo made it 35-34 in favour of Fire.<\/p>\n
Well-held by Townsville\u2019s defence in the first half, league MVP and Spirit star Sami Whitcomb started to have an impact on the contest at both ends of the court.<\/p>\n
A Whitcomb tip-in was followed by an Abbey Wehrung three-pointer as Fire led 40-39 at 3.30 to play in the third.<\/p>\n
A brilliant intercept by Whitcomb in mid-court was followed by a drive to the key where she was fouled and sunk both shots.<\/p>\n
Scores were locked on 41-all at a quarter to play.<\/p>\n
First shot of the last term was a three-point by Spirit guard Kelly Wilson who is the league\u2019s games and assists record-holder.<\/p>\n
Back-to-back two-pointers by Ellis put Fire in front again.<\/p>\n
Suddenly it was basket-for-basket.<\/p>\n
Two points by Spirit captain Kelsey Griffin was followed by another three by Burton.<\/p>\n
Bendigo\u2019s superb accuracy from the free-throw line became a significant factor.<\/p>\n
An 11-5 run by Spirit completed the 70-58 result.<\/p>\n
Burton was superb in her first WNBL grand final as she finished with 24 points, five rebounds and six assists.<\/p>\n
A three-time Olympian and three-time WNBL champion, Tolo racked up 15 points and nine rebounds.<\/p>\n
Chasing her first WNBL title, Whitcomb posted 12 points and eight boards.<\/p>\n
Spirit coach Kennedy Kereama said trust in the process was a key to the victory.<\/p>\n
“We were getting great looks at the rim, offensive rebounds, feet in the paint, great post looks and wide-open shots on the perimeter. Finals basketball, there’s always going to be some nerves.<\/p>\n
“Just really proud of the group for really sticking it out. The shots eventually dropped.”<\/p>\n
Townsville guards Abbey Ellis and Courtney Woods kept the heat on with 17 and 13 points.<\/p>\n
Game two will be on this Sunday from 3pm in Townsville.<\/p>\n
A third match, if required, will be at Bendigo\u2019s Red Energy on Wednesday, March 12 from 7pm.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
BENIDIGO Spirit needs one more victory to be crowned the Cygnett Women\u2019s National Basketball League champions of the 2024-25 season. The Spirit tipped off the best-of-three grand final series against Townsville Fire by scoring a 70-58 victory in Wednesday night\u2019s showdown at Bendigo\u2019s Red Energy Arena. Heat was high from Fire as it led 31-20 […]<\/p>\n