BENDIGO Bank Spirit have arrived at a pivotal point in their WNBL schedule.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Winless in two games in the new year, the Spirit are this week preparing for a pair of crucial road games in Townsville and Canberra.
A 71-68 loss to Sydney Uni Flames last Friday night relegated the Spirit to fourth spot on the league ladder.
Their rivals did the Spirit no favours.
The Flames became the first team to reach 12 wins after accounting for the Spirit and Adelaide Lightning in consecutive nights.
They were joined on Saturday by Dandenong Rangers, who regained top spot with a victory over Melbourne Boomers.
But it's not just at the top of the ladder where pressure has intensified on the Spirit.
Canberra's 73-67 win over Townsville Fire lifted the Capitals to nine wins, one behind the Spirit.
They could potentially join the Spirit on 10 wins when the teams clash in Canberra next Sunday.
The Spirit must first deal with reigning champions Townsville, who likewise have 10 wins.
The Flames' three-point win secured them head-to-head advantage over the Spirit ahead of the finals.
The game had a familiar pattern across the first three quarters – a strong start by Sydney Uni, the Spirit fighting back, before the Flames again finishing the term strongly.
The Spirit closed within one point inside the last minute courtesy of a Kelsey Griffin three-pointer, but a last gasp shot close to the buzzer failed to land for the Spirit.
Coach Simon Pritchard said his team had battled hard.
"I think we had a real chance at it at the end but we just missed a shot," h esaid.
"That 7-0 start didn’t help us but we forced 22 turnovers and I thought we got ourselves back in the game.
"A couple of times we slowed down and didn’t get the ball movement, we’ll work on that during the week.”
The Spirit were well led by Griffin, who scored 17 points, nine rebounds and four blocked shots.
Imports Blake Dietrick and Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe had 13 points each.
SPIRIT RUN HOME
Friday, January 20: at Townsville
Saturday January 21: at Canberra
Saturday January 28: v Melbourne Bomers at Bendigo Stadium
Saturday, February 5: v Townsville at Bendigo Stadium
Saturday, February 11: at Canberra
Saturday, February 18: at Melbourne Boomers
Sunday, February 19 v Perth at Bendigo Stadium
LADDER
Dandenong Rangers 12-5
Sydney Uni Flames 12-6
Perth Lynx 10-6
Bendigo Spirit 10-7
Townsville Fire 10-8
Canberra Capitals 9-8
Melbourne Boomers 4-13
Adelaide Lightning 2-16
