Bendigo Spirit’s profitable highway double this weekend leaves them as the one undefeated workforce within the WNBL after spherical 4.
Reigning league MVP Anneli Maley was influential in each victories, scoring 12 factors and knocking down 16 rebounds in opposition to Townsville Fire earlier than posting a 26-point, 11-rebound double-double in opposition to the Sydney Flames.
Maley’s big three-pointer with 1:14 left clinched Friday evening’s 68-66 triumph on the Townsville Entertainment Centre, the Fire’s first defeat of the season.
On Sunday at Qudos Bank Arena, Maley performed a largely lone hand as her aspect staggered by an unconvincing first half.
The largest upset of the season loomed as Shane Heal’s winless Flames led 39-33 on the lengthy break, with Bendigo conceding 10 offensive rebounds and a staggering 14 turnovers to that time.
The Spirit tightened the screws defensively, outscoring Sydney 44-21 after halftime to prevail 77-60 and advance to an ideal 5-0 report, considerably bolstering their prospects of taking part in finals for the primary time since 2015.
Resurgent Adelaide Lightning made it three straight wins after securing back-to-back dwelling victories throughout the spherical.
A relentless second half at each ends following a second-quarter lull noticed the Lightning mow down bottom-of-the-ladder Canberra Capitals 90-80 at Adelaide Arena on Wednesday.
Then on Saturday night, Adelaide overturned a 34-20 deficit within the second time period to steamroll Southside Flyers 91-72.
Imports Kierstan Bell (23 factors, 14 rebounds) and Jacinta Monroe (22, 10) have been very good for the Lightning, who conjured separate scoring bursts of 16-3 earlier than halftime and 15-0 within the fourth quarter.
On Thursday, the Flyers overcame a scare to defeat Sydney 82-75 on the State Basketball Centre.
Rebecca Cole (24 factors) starred as Southside, trailing 61-57 at three-quarter-time, began the ultimate interval with a 21-3 bang to steal all of the momentum.
Melbourne Boomers captain Cayla George (23 factors, 13 boards) was usually robust because the reigning champions moved to second on the ladder (4-1) with a scientific 88-73 win over Perth Lynx on the Bendat Basketball Centre on Friday evening.
Round 5 suggestions off on Wednesday, with Melbourne internet hosting Townsville at Parkville.
