{"id":37055,"date":"2023-11-27T10:19:18","date_gmt":"2023-11-27T00:19:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/basketball\/?p=37055"},"modified":"2023-11-27T10:19:20","modified_gmt":"2023-11-27T00:19:20","slug":"spirit-douse-flames-in-wnbl-breakthrough","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/basketball\/spirit-douse-flames-in-wnbl-breakthrough\/","title":{"rendered":"Spirit douse Flames in WNBL breakthrough"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

DESPITE missing captain Kelsey Griffin<\/a> and trailing by as much as 15 points during the second term, Bendigo Spirit got themselves on the board in the 2023\/24 WNBL season with an incredible 82-66 victory over Sydney Flames at Red Energy Arena on Saturday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After four consecutive losses to start the 2023\/24 season, the Spirit rose from the ashes to deliver a brutal blow to the Flames who have been teetering outside the top few sides this season. Yet to string two wins together, Sydney continued its yo-yo form thus far, unable to capitalise on the momentum of the first half.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Full credit goes to the Spirit, who, led by a trio of players with 17 points – Casey Samuels<\/a>, Alicia Froling<\/a> and Alex Wilson<\/a> – came from behind to pour on 28 points to nine in a third quarter blitz and runaway with the match.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Lara McSpadden<\/a> produced a clean layup with 4:54 on the clock in the second term, the Flames had increased their lead to 15 with a 37-22 advantage. From that point on though, Bendigo piled on a massive 60-29 to show it has the potential to do damage this season, especially given Griffin was not in the team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Across the board, Bendigo took control with six more assists (17-11), and an 11 per cent greater efficiency from the field (41-30). Sydney still had its fair share of control, with 49 rebounds to 42, including double the amount of put-backs with 20-10.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leading the charge on that front was Opal Cayla George<\/a> who had 13 rebounds – five offensive – along with 14 points and four blocks. She was well supported by Emma Clarke<\/a> (11 points, five rebounds) and Paige Bradley (11 points, two rebounds and two assists) as the Flames did their best, ut could not manage enough contributions across the board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Usually prolific, Lauren Nicholson<\/a> only shot 11 per cent from the field (one of nine), with Didi Richards (14 per cent from 1\/7) and McSpadden (16 per cent from 1\/6) also having chances. By comparison, the likes of Froling and Samuels shot at 60 per cent plus, while only Kelly Wilson<\/a> (14 per cent from 1\/7) was below 25. She produced in other ways though with seven defensive boards and five assists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bendigo has a seven-day break until taking on the Adelaide Lightning in South Australia on Saturday, December 2, while Sydney has until December 6 to also heads Adelaide for a meeting with the Lightning, before heading to Canberra for a huge contest against UC Capitals on December 8.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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