The Villawood Properties Bendigo Spirit haven't had the most ideal start to the 2020 WNBL season.
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The Spirit are now without a win (0-3) after their most recent loss on Monday night to the reigning champions, the UC Canberra Capitals 76-56.
The Caps took control of the match early on with an 18-point lead at half-time, but a refreshed Spirit came back on court after the break to outscore their opponents 25-24.
"We made in-roads in the third quarter and there were certainly some good signs as we didn't let the score blow out even further," Spirit coach Tracy York said.
Carley Ernst was the Spirit's top-scorer with 15 points and 10 rebounds (double-double) while Tessa Lavey put 13 on the board with two rebounds.
Ernst said the Spirit had improved on previous games but needed to find a way to improve defence.
"Some little things here and there really hurt us again. Teams get up and we fight our way back - we got it to 11 at one stage - then let it go again,'' Ernst said to the WNBL.
"It stems from our lack of getting through plays or quick shots, even myself just knowing what's right and wrong, and of course our defence. They had 40 points within the paint so I think it's getting those extra rotations on the bigs."
However, York said there was still work to do before the team's match on Wednesday night against the Perth Lynx, who are also without a win to their name this season.
"There were other parts of the game where players could've improved their defensive work and that's something we will work on ahead of the Lynx," York said.
In addition to the match against the Caps, the Spirit's season so far has included a 42-point loss to the Flyers and a 37-point defeat by the Flames.
Before the match against the Lynx the Spirit will do plenty of work to make sure they take to the court on Wednesday and put an end to the current losing streak.
"The Lynx came within a couple points of winning against the Boomers and that was without two of their starters," York said.
"Regardless it's going to be an interesting game against a tough side who are also 0-3."
SEASON SO FAR
- Round 1
def by Southside 102-60
def by Sydney 100-63
- Round 2
def by Canberra 76-56
NEXT MATCHES
Wednesday November 18
v Perth Lynx 8PM AEDT in Mackay
Saturday November 21
v Townsville Fire 5PM AEDT in Townsville
Sunday November 22
v Townsville Fire 1PM AEDT in Townsville
*The league is currently discussing potential changes to the 2020 WNBL fixture after it was announced the Adelaide Lightning would go into quarantine after changes to border restrictions.*
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