For the second time this season the Bendigo Spirit have stunned WNBL championship fancy the Melbourne Boomers.
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The Spirit went into Monday night’s game in Melbourne as the underdog, but walked away with a thrilling 60-58 win.
The Spirit silenced the big Boomers’ crowd with a stunning final quarter effort.
The Boomers led by three points heading into the final quarter and two minutes into the last term the lead had been extended to five points.
For the next five minutes of game time the Boomers didn’t score as the Spirit lifted their defensive intensity.
A Nadeen Payne lay-up gave the Spirit a three-point advantage before the Boomers broke their scoring drought thanks to a Sarah Boothe three-point play.
After missing her first six field goal attempts, Spirit guard Abbey Wehrung picked a perfect time to make a basket. Her lay-up with 2:23 on the clock gave the Spirit a 60-58 lead.
The final two minutes were error-filled and the Boomers couldn’t find a way to score.
The Spirit celebrated their fourth win of the season and they jumped the Boomers into third place on the ladder.
Nat Hurst was superb for Bendigo with 25 points, including 9-12 from the field and 3-6 from behind the three-point arc. Payne added 12 points and nine rebounds, while Barb Turner chipped in with nine points.
The Spirit (4-2) return home to play the Sydney Uni Flames (0-6) on Sunday from 2pm.