The WNBL champions of the past two years, Spirit beat Adelaide, 73-64 at Bendigo Stadium.

Kelsey Griffin was in hot form on night one of the pre-season competition.

The brilliant forward achieved a game-high 20 points and 11 rebounds.

Sara Blicavs added 17 points and Maddie Garrick chipped in with 15.

It was a terrific performance by the Spirit which went into the contest without Opals team-mates Gabe Richards and Belinda Snell.

Just five days after winning bronze at the FIBA world championships in Turkey, Tessa Lavey was back on Bendigo’s court.

Lavey scored four points in a match where Heather Oliver, four points and five rebounds; and Jane Chalmers, five points played well for the Bernie Harrower-coached Spirit.

Lightning’s attack was led by Jessica Foley, 21 points; Angela Marino and Alex Bunton, 12 each.

The series tipped off with two exciting contests.

Townsville Fire fought back from a 10-point deficit at half-time to score a 75-72 win against Canberra Capitals.

Best for Fire were Jillian Harmon, 12 points and nine rebounds; Suzy Batkovic, 11 points and eight rebounds; Micaela Cocks, 11 points; Rachel McCully, 10 points; and Mia Newley, 10 points.

Canberra’s Abby Bishop made a superb start to the tournment.

Bishop scored 21 points and racked up six rebounds for the Capitals.

Jessica Bibby, 13 points; Stephanie Talbot, 11 points; and Hanna Zavecz, 10 points and 10 rebounds played well.

Melbourne Boomers overcame a 10-point deficit at the start of the last quarter to beat Syndey Uni Flames by three points.

Led by the play of Tess Madgen, 23 points; and Rebecca Cole, 17 points; the Boomers won the final quarter, 25-12, to win 78-75.

West Coast Waves rode their way to a 93-64 win against Dandenong.

Round two tips off at 4pm on Saturday and will be followed by matches at 5pm and 6pm. Bendigo plays Sydney from 8pm.