The Villawood Properties Bendigo Spirit were in prime contention to score their first win of the season on the weekend.
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However, they fell short in the final minutes of their match against the Sydney Flames on Sunday afternoon to remain winless at 0-11, scores 62-54.
The Flames took the early lead and were nine-points ahead of the Spirit (23-14) at the first break.
The Spirit put on a stunning 10 minutes of basketball in the second quarter with a 13-point run which helped them take a narrow two-point lead (33-31) into the main break.
A low scoring third quarter saw the Flames back level with the Spirit at 41 a piece heading into the last.
The Spirit's first win of the season was within reaching distance as they walked back onto the court.
However, the Flames were also hungry for another victory to their name for what has been a slow season with only three wins.
The Flames outscored the Spirit 21-13 to secure the win.
The Spirit were on court for their first match of the double-header weekend less than 18 hours earlier against the Melbourne Boomers where they suffered a 32-point loss.
The Spirit put on one of the team's best opening-quarter performances with the scores level at 20 points each.
However, the Boomers proved too strong in the second limiting the Spirit to just three points.
The Boomers then had control of the match and were able to deny Spirit their first win of the season.
"We competed really well and had a great first quarter," Spirit coach Tracy York said.
"Our shots didn't drop in the second and even though defensively we held strong, we couldn't put the scoreboard pressure on."
The Spirit's prospect of finishing the season with a W comes down to the wire as there are only two matches left before they head home.
The Spirit will have a tough task as the two games are against the Adelaide Lightning and the Boomers.
WNBL 2020 SEASON
- Round 1
def by Southside 102-60
def by Sydney 100-63
- Round 2
def by Canberra 76-56
def by Perth 78-65
- Round 3
def by Townsville 91-81
def by Townsville 99-51
def by Lightning 83-89
def by Capitals 51-87
- Round 4
def by Perth 95-79
def by Melbourne 84-52
def by Sydney 62-54
REMAINING GAMES
- Round 5
Wednesday December 9
v Adelaide Lightning (8PM AEDT)
Friday December 11
v Melbourne Boomers (6PM)
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