Bendigo Spirit defeats Townsville Fire 70-58 in WNBL grand final series opener

The Bendigo Spirit overcame early jitters to defeat the Townsville Fire 70-58 in Game 1 of the WNBL Grand Final series, putting them one win away from their third WNBL championship. The game was held in Bendigo on Wednesday night, marking a significant step towards their title aspirations.

Import Veronica Burton delivered a stellar performance for the Spirit, contributing 24 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists. The Spirit trailed in both of the first two quarters but dominated in the final stages, showcasing their resilience. Veteran center Marianna Tolo added 15 points and 9 rebounds, while league MVP Sami Whitcomb contributed 12 points and 8 rebounds, highlighting the team's balanced attack.

Spirit coach Kennedy Kereama stated, "We really trusted our process offensively. We got some really good looks at the rim, offensive rebounds, positioning in the paint, good inside looks, and open looks outside." He also added, "Grand Final basketball is always going to be a little bit tight. I was really proud of the group for sticking to it. Eventually, shots started to fall," emphasizing the team's mental fortitude.

The Fire were led by guard Abby Bishop (17 points, 6 rebounds) and Courtney Woods (13 points, 7 rebounds) who put forth solid efforts. The Fire led by as many as 11 points midway through the second quarter, but subsequently went cold offensively, ultimately costing them the game.

Game 2 of the series will be held in Townsville on Sunday. The Spirit will aim to clinch the championship on the road, while the Fire will look to level the series and force a decisive Game 3 back in Bendigo, setting the stage for a high-stakes encounter.