THE fluctuating fortunes of the Australia Pork Bendigo Spirit this Women's National Basketball League rolled on in Friday night's home game against Canberra Capitals.

Spirit centre Gabe Richards took to the court for her 200th WNBL appearance.

Richards was to have a great battle with the legendary Lauren Jackson.

At the start of the final quarter Bendigo held a 10-point lead.

But in the space of a few minutes the Capitals were right back in the contest.

Inspired by the play of captain Abby Bishop, Kristen Veal and Jackson, Canberra overran Bendigo.

Hundreds of fans, many in Bendigo for this weekend's Junior Classic, packed the showcourt.

At times the support for Canberra drowned out the roar for Bendigo.

After an evenly-fought first quarter, the Bernie Harrower-coached Spirit led 19-18.

Bendigo's play lifted dramatically in the second.

In the space of five minutes Spirit raced to a 29-19 lead.

The Carrie Graf-coached Canberra fought back, but Spirit had all the answers.

It was more of the same in the third term as Bendigo led 61-51 at a quarter to go.

Spirit's inability to close out a game, witnessed several times this season, was back.

When Bishop converted both shots from the foul line the Capitals were within a point at 2.52 to play.

Spirit's run of missed shots finally ended when Kelsey Griffin hit one shot at the stripe.

A three-pointer by Veal put Canberra up by a point.

Bendigo regained the lead from a Griffin shot at 2.04 to go in what a dramatic finish.

Great defence by Spirit resulted in a shot-clock violation against Canberra.

But Bendigo did not capitalise in attack.

Two points from Stephanie Talbot put the Capitals back in front at a minute to go.

When Veal was on target again the margin was three at 24 seconds on the clock.

One of Spirit's best in this match, Sara Blicavs added two point from in the key.

Bishop added another two from the foul-line to bring up a match-high 25 points.

Although Bendigo had another attacking move the shot was off target as Canberra clinched a 73-70 victory and kept play-off hopes alive.

After consecutive defeats to Dandenong, away, and Canberra, home, the Spirit heads west for Sunday's match against West Coast Waves.

Leading stats:

Points - Canberra: Abby Bishop 25, Lauren Jackson 17, Kristen Veal 12. Bendigo: Sara Blicavs 23, Kelsey Griffin 16, Belinda Snell 13.