THE Bendigo Bank Spirit showed plenty of attacking poise and defensive strength as it won last night’s women’s basketball clash with China’s national development team.
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Spirit led at every change on the way to an 85-73 victory at Bendigo Stadium.
Bendigo coach Bernie Harrower said there were a lot of great signs in a match where all 13 players gained court time.
Leading scorers for Bendigo were Renae Camino and four-time Olympic representative Kristi Harrower on 16 points.
Another of the club’s key recruits, Kathleen Scheer scored 11 points and Chelsea Aubry, a member of Canada’s national team, chipped in with 10, while the classy Chantella Perera added eight points.
Spirit led 26-19 at quarter-time and went to half-time in front, 50-38, and went on to win the rebounds, 28-26, and assists, 15-14.
“The standard was really high,” Bernie Harrower said.
“The defensive intensity and physical play was equal to any WNBL team.
“This was the sort of hit-out we really needed,” Harrower said of the build-up to the season’s opening game on October 5 in Adelaide.
“There were a lot of things to like from tonight’s game.
“We have not had a lot of training sessions together, but the teamwork at both ends was great.”
Bendigo will be back on court this Friday night to contest their opening game in the WNBL pre-season tournament at Dandenong.