Spirit makes clinical start, but the Flames reign supreme this time
SYDNEY Uni Flames overcame a red-hot start by the Australia Pork Bendigo Spirit to score a seven-point victory in Friday night's Women's National Basketball League clash at Bendigo Stadium.
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Spirit's bid for a fourth consecutive victory began in superb style as it raced to a 14-2 lead after 4.11 minutes of play.
Sara Blicavs and Gabe Richards finished off a lot of the Spirit's early dominance at both ends of the court.
It was a clinical start by Bendigo, but Sydney gradually worked its way back into the contest through the play of Casey Samuels and Katie-Rae Ebzery.
Determined to snap a three-game losing streak, Sydney lifted its play and was within six points at quarter-time.
Neither team shot the ball well in attack throughout the second and third quarters.
The Flames won the second quarter, 10-9, and it was 12-all in the third.
Bendigo led 49-44 at the start of the final quarter.
In the space of 37 seconds it was the Flames who took the lead when Katie-Rae Ebzery scored two from a jump shot and on the next play sunk a three-pointer.
The Flames led 57-56 at 3.36 to play before Richards replied to put Bendigo back in front.
Spirit just could not halt Sydney's charge as the visitors closed out the game, 13-4, to win 67-60.
Best for the Flames were Ebzery, 19 points and four rebounds; Samuels, 18 points; and Ruef, 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Spirit's attack was led by Blicavs, 18; and Richards, 19. They were the only players to hit double digits.