THE BENDIGO Spirit have one hand on the minor championship in the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) after knocking off their biggest challenger in the Perth Lynx on Wednesday night.

In the most anticipated clash of the 2024/25 season, the top two teams locked horns at Red Energy Arena in a matchup that would decided which side would likely finish at the top of the ladder. Both teams have been in tremendous form of late, and Wednesday’s clash loomed as a likely preview of the deciding series in the coming months.

Despite being on the road, the Lynx got off to an excellent start, posting 30 points in the first quarter to lead by seven at the first change. It was tight action heading into halftime, with the margin still sitting at eight at the main change.

The Spirit looked better in the third quarter, restricting the Lynx defensively, but still trailed by five points. However, a 30-16 final period was the deciding factor, with Bendigo storming home in dramatic fashion to claim a nine-point win.

Spirit star Sami Whitcomb was instrumental in getting Bendigo back in the contest and to victory, posting yet another eye-catching statline that reflected with her huge influence on the result.

Bendigo Spirit (95) def. Perth Lynx (86)

Sami Whitcomb – 29 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, one steal

Putting her side on her back on the offensive end, Whitcomb stood up when it mattered most to prove a game-breaking factor in a crucial result for the Spirit.

She played all 40 minutes for the match in a tireless effort and was always bursting with energy with ball in hand, looking to make an impact wherever she could. Whitcomb was the only player to finish with every minute played, as the Spirit wanted their best player on the court for all four quarters.

Although not her most efficient scoring night (10/24 FG), she still finished with an equal game-high 29 points, doing most of her damage from behind the arc. Whitcomb knocked down six triples including three in less than a minute in a scoring explosion to start the final term in style.

In the final quarter alone, Whitcomb posted nine points, five rebounds and two assists, which would be an impressive statline for a whole game, let alone 10 minutes of action. Her heroics in the fourth term helped get the Spirit over the line.

At 36 years of age, Whitcomb is showing no signs of slowing down and produced yet another match-winning display in the win over the Lynx.