{"id":42045,"date":"2025-01-03T13:21:47","date_gmt":"2025-01-03T03:21:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/basketball\/?p=42045"},"modified":"2025-01-03T13:21:48","modified_gmt":"2025-01-03T03:21:48","slug":"griffin-winds-back-clock-as-spirit-douses-flames","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/basketball\/griffin-winds-back-clock-as-spirit-douses-flames\/","title":{"rendered":"Griffin winds back clock as Spirit douses Flames"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A REMARKABLE double-double performance from veteran Kelsey Griffin<\/a> resulted in WNBL ladder leaders Bendigo Spirit accounting for Sydney Flames in a dominant 21-point win overnight. To kick off Round 10 of the competition, and the first official match of 2025, the Spirit dominated for three quarters to lead by 29 points at the last break before the Flames scored some consolation baskets to cut the final margin to 21, 92-71.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sydney Flames<\/strong><\/td>24<\/td>17<\/td>12<\/td>18<\/td>71<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Bendigo Spirit<\/strong><\/td>31<\/td>25<\/td>26<\/td>10<\/td>92<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Bendigo further established itself as the team to beat this season with a commanding first three quarters that punished the Flames off turnovers. The visitors scored 26-7 from turnovers, and grabbed plenty of second chance baskets thanks to Griffin’s work off the boards. In the end, Bendigo shot at a 50 per cent clip from the field including 38.2 per cent from outside the arc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Griffin recorded 18 points and 13 rebounds in the win, with an additional four assists and three steals, making her presence felt at both ends of the court. She shared the spotlight with all of the Spirit’s starting five as Bendigo had five of the top six scorers on the night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leading the way for points once again was Veronica Burton<\/a> who managed 20, along with five assists and three steals, while Sami Whitcomb<\/a> (18 points, six rebounds and six assists) had another balanced game. Marianna Tolo<\/a> (17 points, three rebounds and three assists) and Abigail Wehrung<\/a> (14 points, two assists) were also big contributors, with 87 of the Spirit’s 92 points coming from the quartet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Flames only had two players in double-digit points, with Celeste Taylor<\/a> equalling the game-high points with 20, as well as four assists and two rebounds, while the likes of Cayla George<\/a> (12 points, eight rebounds) and Yemiyah Morris<\/a> (eight points, six rebounds and three assists) did their best in what was a tough night for the home side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Incredibly both sides’ next match comes against one another, with the pair facing off again in Round 11. They have an extended break until then though, with the Spirit hosting the Flames on the Victorian border at Mildura Sporting Precinct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mentions<\/span><\/span><\/div>