THERE are now no unbeaten sides in the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) after the Perth Lynx defeated Bendigo Spirit in a top of the table clash that will shape the remainder of the 2024/25 season.

The twos sides clashed at Red Energy Arena on Thursday night, and it was the top-placed Bendigo looking to remain undefeated as it took on the second-placed Perth. The Lynx had been surging in weeks prior, but the Spirit were unbeaten for a reason, so it was going to require their best performance of the season.

The game had huge momentum swings which saw control of the match change hands on several occasions, and in a thrilling finish, it was Perth that emerged three-point winners to balance out the playing field moving forward.

Bendigo Spirit (68) def. by Perth Lynx (71)

It was the second defensive grind between the two sides in the past few weeks, but the result was flipped this time around, with the Lynx doing what no other side has been able to do in the 2024/25 season.

Despite some inaccuracy from behind the arc, the Lynx managed to grind out a six-point lead at the first change. This was largely due to restricting Bendigo’s offensive sets and pressing right up to the opposition on every defensive possession.

The Spirit found their groove in the second quarter, and it was the Lynx that found themselves in an offensive slump. The shots were simply not falling and it allowed Bendigo back into the contest as it found ways to penetrate Perth’s defence. Half-time saw the home side hold a four-point lead, and Bendigo finding form was an ominous sign for the Lynx.

In a defining factor for the match, the three-ball started to fall for the Lynx, and it helped them get back in the game. After the Spirit slowed down the tempo in the second quarter to help get themselves on top, the Lynx becoming more productive from behind the arc changed that, and they trailed by just one point at three-quarter time.

Bendigo looked well placed in the opening minutes of the final term, scoring six of the first seven points of the period. However, the Lynx continued their charge in the fourth and ended the match on an 8-0 run to steal the lead and hold on for their most important result of the 2024/25 season in a low-scoring affair on the road.

Against her former side, Alex Wilson played a starring role for the Lynx, posting 20 points (7/15 FG, 4/8 3PT) to go with five rebounds and two assists in one of her best showings of the year. She knocked down all four of her three-pointers in the second half, and helped spark the turnaround that led Perth to victory.

Also impressing for the victors was Anneli Maley, who stuffed the stat sheet and came up with some big plays down the stretch. The forward posted a double-double of 12 points, 16 rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks in another excellent performance from the reliable leader.

For the Spirit, Veronica Burton fought hard to get Bendigo over the line, producing a double-double of 14 points, 10 rebounds and three assists.