ALTHOUGH the Bendigo Spirit fell three points shy of the Southside Flyers in the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) over the weekend, Veronica Burton delivered a performance that was worthy of a win.

Coming into the clash, the Spirit had their unbeaten start to the season come to an end in recent weeks, and although they still sat at the top of the table, they would need to keep racking up the wins if they were to hold onto that position given the strength of the competition. On the other hand, the Flyers’ title defence had been off to a shaky start, and Southside sat in the bottom two with just three wins next to their name.

It was an armwrestle in the first half, with neither side able to truly grab control of the match at State Basketball Centre on Sunday afternoon, and it was the Spirit that held a one-point lead at the main change. However, a dominant showing from the Flyers in the third quarter saw that flip to a 13-point buffer for Southside heading into the fourth term, and although the Spirit stormed home in the fourth, the reigning champions held on for their best win of the season.

It may not have been the result she was after, but Burton was immense on the offensive end, and almost dragged her side to victory.

Southside Flyers (91) def. Bendigo Spirit (88)

Veronica Burton – 31 points, seven rebounds, two assists

The Spirit were given a fighting chance against the Flyers purely because of Burton’s willingness to generate offence throughout the course of the match and nearly dragging her side over the line in the fourth quarter.

Her 31 points were the most of any player on the floor, and accounted for over a third of Bendigo’s total score in a remarkable individual feat.

Incredibly, 16 of those points came in the fourth quarter as she single-handedly revived Bendigo after the Flyers took a hefty lead in the third term. Whether it was drawing contact and proving reliable at the free throw line, or knocking down clutch three-pointers, Burton was unstoppable and gave the Spirit a fighting chance.

She showed some serious ice in her veins in the dying stages of the match, knocking down a three-pointer with eight seconds on the clock to bring her side within one point, and although Burton’s game-tying attempt from behind the arc was wayward, Bendigo would not have been in that position without her shot-making.

Burton ended up shooting 8/13 from the field, 3/5 from behind the arc and a perfect 12/12 from the free throw line, many of which came in the final 10 minutes of the match. It was a starring performance from the guard, who was extraordinarily close to leading her side to victory.