THE Bendigo Spirit are eyeing off a winning finish to the calendar year when they play their final WNBL game of 2014 against Sydney Uni on Friday night.
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The Australian Pork Spirit host the Flames at the Bendigo Stadium before a two-week mid-season break.
Friday night’s clash is a battle of two top-four teams, with the Spirit (9-3) sitting second, while the Flames (6-5) are fourth.
“It’s a big game for us, as every one seems to be at the moment,” Spirit coach Bernie Harrower said on Thursday.
“Sydney is sitting fourth and it’s important we come into this game ready to play from the tip-off.”
It shapes as a pivotal round of matches for the top four teams.
As well as the 2 v 4 clash of Bendigo and Sydney Uni, Townsville (1st, 9-2) is hosting Melbourne (3rd, 8-6) on Saturday night.
“If Townsville and us both win, basically, it gives us a four-game break with nine games to go to finish in the top two,” Harrower said.
“The ramifications of this week are high for the top four teams, so it’s a big weekend to finish off the 2014 part of the season.”
The Spirit and Flames last met two weeks ago when Bendigo won 85-74 in Sydney.
That was the start of what’s become a three-game winning streak for the Spirit, and also the second of what’s now three losses in a row for the Flames.
It was also the game Spirit star Belinda Snell scored a club-record 41 points.
“I’m sure Belinda will get a fair bit of attention, but in saying that we’ve got so many weapons in our group that if too much attention is paid to her, the other players will get going,” Harrower said.
“Kelly Wilson and Chelsea Aubry are starting to find some form... we really only need Gabe (Richards) to find some form and we will have most of our group doing quite well.”
Friday night’s game tips off at 7.30pm.