Adelaide returns from Melbourne with a split

9/NOV/2009 – ONLY the most one-eyed Lightning fan would have expected Adelaide's elite WNBL outfit to return from Melbourne with a 1-1 split.

And they would have been banking on Adelaide on Friday repeating its home win over Bendigo at the Spirit's home base and at best staying competitive with unbeaten Bulleen on Saturday.

Those that have watched the team's recent travails might well have predicted a narrow loss in Bendigo and a belting at Bulleen for 0-2.

That's exactly the record Adelaide returned home with but it was in reverse - belted by Bendigo 89-66 and stiff to lose at Bulleen 77-84.

Just as they experienced the last time they hit Bendigo, Adelaide could not find a way to contain Kristi Harrower or her rampant team.

Harrower got off for 33 points at 65 per cent, with 4-of-7 threes, five assists and nine rebounds. Imagine how many she might get if she wasn't a mere 163cm.

"Back to back wins against Canberra and Adelaide is certainly very pleasing," Bendigo coach Bernie Harrower said.

Beaten here a week ago by Bulleen, few expected an Adelaide reversal against the WNBL's form club at the Veneto Club in Melbourne.

But Adelaide started strongly to lead 27-20 at the first break and 41-33 at half-time.

Bulleen centre Liz Cambage however wrought havoc, finishing with a career-high 31 points on 11-of-13 shooting, plus 9-of-11 free throws, 10 rebounds and two blocks.

Cambage has the world at her feet and it is great to see Australian basketball produce another aggressive "big" after Lauren Jackson broke the mould of our soft centres.

But Cambage does not know where the line is drawn between aggression and over-aggression and no official seems ready to define it for her.

Consequently she has been getting away with more than the rules allow, leading Adelaide coach Vicki Valk to cop a technical foul after complaining about a Cambage "clear out" late in the game.
That allowed Bulleen to pull away 73-68 in the final period but Adelaide rallied, Shelley Burston (17 points at 60 per cent), Cayla Francis and Angela Marino pushing Adelaide ahead 77-76 with 2:25 left.

From there though, Adelaide would not score again and as Bulleen regained the lead, Lightning were forced to foul to stop the clock.

Cambage with 2-of-2 and Jenna O'Hea with 4-of-4 free throws ensured Bulleen remained unbeaten but Adelaide should have few issues with AIS here on Sunday.