Bendigo Spirit's two losses on the weekend moved them to the bottom of the WNBL ladder with a 2-9 record.
The squad's co-captain Tessa Lavey believed defensive rotations needed to be improved before the team returns to the court this weekend.
"From my perspective, our defensive rotations weren't there," Lavey said.
"Canberra they are an elite team, but our loss to Townsville was a winning opportunity that we missed.
"That loss really hurt.
"Defensively we need to recognise how teams change their plays and what we need to do to adapt to the changes a lot quicker than usual."
Spirit started the weekend with a loss to the Canberra Capitals on Friday night, final score 66-91.
It was then followed with another defeat, this time on Sunday from the hands of the Townsville Fire, final result 80-94.
"Every team in the WNBL is great in their own right and we never go into a game expecting a win," Lavey said.
"But moving forward, hopefully this motivates us to play hard."
Spirit's vice-captain Carley Ernst said the team hadn't performed at its true capability.
"We haven't been the best as we can be, a few of us are flat," Ernst said.
"But we can't be flat, we have another game this weekend.
"We are remaining positive, will watch the film back and take into account what we can do better as individuals for the team."
Ernst said Townsville took advantage of several 'open looks' during the game.
"They were doing what they wanted to do down their offensive end and our defence just wasn't good enough," Ernst said.
Intensity for four consistent quarters is also an aim for the Spirit moving forward.
"We always start so well and match a team's intensity, but then it dwindles off a bit," Ernst said.
"We need to stay focused...and match the intensity towards the end of the game, hit them first and not let them come out more physically than we do."
One of the highlights of round eight for the Spirit was the strong contribution from first-year player Demi Skinner.
Skinner shot six three-pointers among her team-high 26 points in the game against Townsville, in what was her best offensive performance of the season.
Lavey said Skinner's performance was impressive.
"She stood up, took open shots and didn't do anything over the top," Lavey said.
"Demi also created some of her own shots which was good to see."
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