BENDIGO Bank Spirit will look to regroup after suffering their biggest WNBL defeat in club history against Perth Lynx.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Battling injury and illness, the Spirit were unable to replicate the heroics of an earlier season win over the Lynx, succumbing to the home side in Perth 108-67.
The 41-point margin was the Spirit's heaviest defeat in their 10 year stint in the WNBL.
They had no answer to the dominance of the league's leading scorer Sami Whitcomb, who scorched the Spirit for 34 points.
It was the American's second 30-plus point haul against the Spirit this season.
She scored 39 points in a 71-84 loss in November.
The shooting guard was well supported by Ruth Hamblin, who had 21 point and eight rebounds, and Carly Mijovic (11 points).
It was a milestone to remember for Toni Edmondson.
The one-time Spirit player finished with five points and five assists in her 200th WNBL game.
The Spirit were best served by their imports Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe and Blake Dietrick.
Canadian Raincock Ekunwe led the Spirit with 17 points and five rebounds, while Dietrick stepped up in the absence of starting point guard Kerryn Harrington for all but one minute, 43 seconds of the contest to deliver 16 points and six rebounds.
The loss relegated the Spirit (10-6) to fourth spot on the ladder, equal on wins with Perth.
Next up is a crucial Friday night match against Sydney Uni Flames.