Match Report: Spirit edge Lightning

24/JAN/2009 – The Bendigo Bank Spirit has secured arguably the biggest win of its franchise history with a thrilling 75-69 success over reigning WNBL champion Link Lightning Adelaide.

Little separated the sides throughout the contest with scores locked at 18-apiece at the first change and 35 each at the main break. In fact, the scores were tied on seven occasions across the physical, no-holds-barred encounter. The home side held a slender three-point buffer as the last stanza began, before holding on down the stretch to claim an historic six-point success that sees its tenuous grip on fifth place tighten.

"They're the only team in the competition that we hadn't beaten," Spirit coach Bernie Harrower commented gleefully post-game.

"Not only had we not beaten them, we hadn't got close to them.

"They're the benchmark of the competition and so, to get a win against them like that, I couldn't be more proud of my group."

Meanwhile, Lightning coach, Vicki Valk was decidedly more circumspect.

"Coming in as the reigning champions everybody is after you, you're the hunted," Valk lamented.

"Full credit to Bendigo, but we just didn't play as well as we can tonight."

A spread of points was the key to Bendigo's success with Kristi Harrower controlling the point and leading the scoring with 17 in another MVP performance. Fellow guard Kelly Wilson with 15, along with Lauren King and Hanna Zavecz - with 14 points apiece - also provided significant match-up headaches for the visitors' hierarchy. Centre Gabe Richards drained 10 points to accompany her nine rebounds, while Dee Butler played some valuable minutes in her 200th WNBL game.

"That's pretty much my style of coaching," Harrower said.

"I want to have five players in double figures and if you've got that you're always a chance of winning."

So even was the contest that the sides were inseparable on the rebound count, although Cayla Francis was the games' most potent tall with 19 points - including nine from outside the arc - and 12 boards from her 27 minutes on the floor, while Jessica Foley was terrific for the visitors with 20 points. US import Tracey Gahan impressed with 11 points and an outstanding 12 rebounds, including 11 at the defensive end.

The Spirit's 12 points to none from turnovers ultimately proved decisive in a game that saw 11 lead changes across the 40 minutes.

Bendigo now looks ahead to a Round 16 encounter with fellow finals' challenger Sydney Uni Flames at home next Friday, while the Lightning must regain its composure for Sunday's top-of-the-table battle with the Canberra TransACT Capitals in the nation's capital. Next week the Lightning face Dandenong at home.

Bendigo Spirit 75 (Kristi Harrower 17, Kelly Wilson 15, Hanna Zavecz 14, Lauren King 14) def Adelaide Lightning 69 (Jessica Foley 20, Cayla Francis 19, Tracey Gahan 11)