Sydney upset Bendigo to keep finals hopes flickering
Sebastian Tan |
American Unique Thompson has spearheaded the Sydney Flames to one of the biggest upsets of the WNBL season, snapping the ladder-leading Bendigo Spirit’s 10-game winning streak in an 89-78 victory.
But her side will sweat on the fitness of the Flames’ most prolific scorer Lauren Nicholson, after she picked up a quad niggle and didn’t play in the second half.
“The medical team made a call that she would have just done more damage if she played,” coach Renae Garlepp said of Nicholson.
“She was fighting with them the whole game.”
After a rousing 73-61 win against title fancies Townsville Fire on Wednesday night, Bendigo were hot favourites to defeat the third-lowest side on the ladder at Qudos Bank Arena on Monday.
But the Flames came out firing, as their slick ball movement, two-point accuracy and dominant rebounding helped them lead 53-39 at halftime.
The Spirit found their rhythm in the third quarter, with a 9-2 run bringing deficit back to six at the final break.
But Thompson and Keely Froling scored a flurry of settling baskets early in the fourth term to see off the reigning champions and claim a second victory in three games.
Thompson was typically inspirational all game, complementing a season-high 32 points with 10 rebounds, while guard Agnes Emma-Nnopu had 13 points and four blocks.
Garlepp also labelled the game “must-win” for the Flames (5-12), and victory keeps their finals hopes burning as they now sit two wins behind the fourth-placed Southside Melbourne Flyers (7-8).
Thompson said her team was able to see off Bendigo’s third-quarter resurgence because of their belief in each other.
“We knew we had to get on the board at some point, but we also have to get stops,” she said.
“We just told each other we have to go out, defend and keep being aggressive.
“To have 27 assists (combined) and to know that my teammates trust me to throw the ball up and know I’ll go get it means a lot.”
Bendigo’s (13-3) loss shakes up the race for first place. They now sit a mere one win in front of the Townsville Fire (12-3) and the Perth Lynx (12-4).
Izzy Borlase (six rebounds) and Kelsey Griffin (eight rebounds) were busy sinking 32 and 10 points, respectively.
“It’s a bit frustrating that we were far from our best,” coach Kennedy Kereama said.
“We certainly would love to play that one back. We gave them 53 in the first half, which is far beyond our best defence.”
AAP
