BENDIGO Spirit's WNBL win streak has ended at two after falling to Perth Lynx by 19 points in Sunday's clash at the Bendat Basketball Centre.
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Aiming to join the Lynx on five wins for the season, the Spirit were always on the back foot after trailing by 11 points at quarter time.
Led by former Spirit star Nadeen Payne, who top-scored for her side with 19 points, the Lynx were able to widen the margin at each of the next two breaks and run out winners 100-81.
The Spirit was able to at least match it with the home side in the final term, with both teams tipping in 21 points.
A continued bright spark for the Spirit was the form of young guard Shyla Heal.
A week after notching her WNBL career high of 24 points in a win over a finals-bound Canberra Capitals, the 18-year-old bettered that mark with a game-high 30 points and six rebounds.
The teenager nailed an impressive five of her six three-point attempts in another standout performance.
In the past three games, Heal has averaged 22 points and 6.5 rebounds, solidifying her reputation as one of the nation's top basketball prospects.
Carley Ernst was next in line for the Spirit with 11 points and a game-high 10 rebounds, while Kelly Wilson ended with a game-high 11 assists.
Granted 17 minutes of court time, Kara Tessari responded with a neat eight points off the bench, including two of three from beyond the arc.
Next up for the Spirit is a tough Saturday night clash against the Southside Flyers in Bendigo.
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