POST-GAME REPORT DECEMBER 30 V BENDIGO SPIRIT
The Deakin Melbourne Boomers have come back home with a disappointing result, losing to the Bendigo Spirit, 78-81.
It was predicted to be a successful day at the Boom Box with the Melbourne Boomers coming off of an amazing win against the Townsville Fire and WNBA champ Jordin Canada returning to the floor post concussion injury.
Bendigo Spirit have been giving their all even with their 6th place positions on the WNBL ladder, only losing most of their games of the 2023/24 season by a handful of points.
Bendigo brought the energy straight out of the gate in the first, with Kelsey Griffin scoring a quick hookshot in the first 20 seconds of the game.
The Boomers had a tough go in the first with their shooting accuracy, with 16 shots missed in the first quarter.
However, their defensive efforts under the ring were initially quite successful, pulling in 12 defensive boards in the first.
The Spirit were swinging in the key, blocking many of the Boomers shots and creating a small margin at the end of the first, 18-16.
The second saw the Boomers get more into a swing of things, with Jordin Canada racking up 5 points amidst her first game back post injury.
Saturday was not Canada’s best game, however she gave her all driving the ball down the court the best way a guard knows how.
Spirit kept fighting the good fight with Davis, Griffin and Froling making amazing and quick layups and 3-pointers.
The Boomers managed to plant their feet, scoring points and cementing a lead, closing out the the first half 38-33.
The third, however, was where things went south for the Boomers and the Spirit overcame a 9 point lead halfway through the quarter.
Both Froling sisters secured a double double in the third, making it a high intensity sibling rivalry game.
Bendigo had incredible defensive efforts, particularly on the 3 point line, which kept the Boomers down and behind at the end of the third, 60-62.
The fourth was an incredibly tight quarter with the Boomers closely trailing, however losing many opportunities to get ahead and claim the win.
The last minute was an incredible minute of WNBL basketball with Canada tying the scores 77-77 after an amazing 3 point step back jump shot.
A foul on Naz Hillmon by Abbey Wehrung saw the WNBA star receive two free throw shoots, banking only 1 and putting the Boomers one point in front.
Alicia Froling got the defensive rebound and made a quick layup, putting the Spirit up by a point and causing Head Coach Chris Lucas to call a timeout with 33 seconds to go.
Back on the court, Canada ran the ball down and missed a crucial jumpshot with Hillmon grabbing the defensive rebound, however missing her jumpshot also.
Hillmon and Canada both then received personal fouls on Griffin and Wilson respectively, leaving Spirit with the ball.
Conti then fouled on Wilson, leaving Wilson to bucket her two free throw shots and closing out the game, 78-81.
The Melbourne Boomers will be back at the Boom Box with a vengeance this week for the Melbourne Derby against the Southside Flyer.
The Jan 3 match will start at 6:00pm and will be avaliable for viewing on ESPN.
You can purchase tickets here to see the Boomers take down the Flyers and win the Michele Timms Cup!