THE Bendigo Bank Spirit enters their final three games of the WNBL season a game outside the top four following Sunday’s loss to the Townsville Fire.
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The Spirit’s 75-63 defeat at the Bendigo Stadium leaves them with a 12-9 record ahead of their last three games against Adelaide (home), Sydney Uni (away) and Canberra (away).
Bendigo’s position in the top four has been taken by the SEQ Stars (13-8), who after going into liquidation last Wednesday were given a financial lifeline and peeled off two wins at the weekend.
Sunday’s clash between the Spirit and Fire certainly wasn’t one for the highlight reel.
Missing injured superstar Kelsey Griffin (hamstring), the Spirit had no offensive flow in the first half and had just 24 points on the board at the main break as they trailed 36-24.
The top-of-the-ladder Townsville had the game well in hand for all the second half, although, the Spirit were able to briefly breathe some life back into the contest when a Kerryn Harrington three-pointer capped a 9-0 run that brought Bendigo back within seven midway through the final term after the Fire’s lead had grown to a game-high 16.
However, back-to-back threes to the Fire’s Mia Murray killed off the Spirit’s revival. Townsville’s win followed two losses to the Spirit earlier in the season on its home court.
Belinda Snell (20) and Harrington (10) were the leading scorers for the Spirit, who had Kelly Wilson (7 pts) foul out in the last quarter.