BENDIGO Spirit has wasted little time adjusting to life under new coach Tracy York.
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The Spirit opened their pre-season on Wednesday night with an 88-66 win over a Chinese national team at Bendigo Stadium.
Carley Ernst, one of several new faces in the Spirit line-up this season, top scored with 22 points, while returning import Becca Tobin showed signs of a big second season in the WNBL ahead with 18 points.
Fellow import Marte Grays contributed 14 points for the Spirit, who finished the contest strongly with a 19-12 final quarter.
The Spirit had led 69-54 at three-quarter time, after the Chinese had slightly the better of the third quarter, outscoring the home side 23-22.
It was the start to the pre-season the Spirit were looking for, after missing the playoffs in 2018-19 for the fourth consecutive season with a 7-14 record.
The Spirit continue their season preparation with a practice match against Melbourne Boomers this Sunday in Traralgon.
It was the second loss for the Chinese team on their tour, after succumbing to the Boomers 79-70 on Tuesday night at Casey Basketball Stadium.
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