The Bendigo Spirit secured a vital victory on December 7, 2025, defeating the Southside Melbourne Flyers 75-67 at the Victorian State Basketball Centre. This win marks the Spirit’s sixth consecutive victory in the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) and highlights their position as a strong contender in the league.
Megan McConnell was instrumental in the Spirit’s success, contributing 22 points and seven assists. Her performance not only led her team to victory but also demonstrated her potential as an MVP candidate this season. Despite a challenging match where the Flyers surged ahead by as much as 11 points in the third quarter, Bendigo’s resilience shone through.
The game took a dramatic turn as Bendigo steadily chipped away at the Flyers’ lead. With the Flyers accumulating 18 fouls compared to Bendigo’s 13, the Spirit capitalized on their opponents’ indiscretions, ultimately turning the tide in the final quarter.
Southside Melbourne’s coach, Kristi Harrower, expressed frustration with the uneven foul count, stating, “I don’t know how many games it’s been so uneven in that foul count. Like, it’s actually ridiculous. We were playing too uptight on the offensive end, and we need to try to get people to be looser.”
The loss leaves the Flyers with a record of 3-6, placing them in a tightly contested bottom four of the league standings. Veteran player Cayla George stood out for the Flyers, recording 18 points and 14 rebounds, marking her sixth double-double in eight games. Maddi Rocci also contributed significantly, scoring 18 points and providing six assists.
On the other side, Bendigo’s Isobel Borlase continued her strong season with 20 points and eight rebounds. Kelsey Griffin added 15 points and eight rebounds, helping the Spirit improve their record to 9-2, placing them on equal footing with the ladder leaders, Townsville.
Bendigo coach Kennedy Kereama praised his team’s ability to respond under pressure. “Credit to our group for being able to dig deep and show up when it really mattered, especially when we were down by 11 points,” he said. He acknowledged the importance of making adjustments and handling the physicality of the game.
The match followed a busy schedule for both teams, with Southside Melbourne traveling over 3,200 kilometers from Perth. Despite the fatigue, both teams showcased their competitive spirit.
Bendigo initiated the game with a strong start, racing to a 7-0 lead. Although the Flyers managed to narrow the gap by the end of the first quarter, inaccuracies in their shooting hampered their ability to maintain momentum. The teams went into halftime with Bendigo leading 29-26.
A strong start to the second half saw Southside Melbourne embark on a 16-2 run, momentarily taking control. Nevertheless, Bendigo responded effectively, exchanging baskets before ultimately gaining the upper hand.
With the WNBL season progressing, Bendigo’s impressive performance sets the stage for an exciting finish, while Southside Melbourne will need to regroup quickly to stay competitive in the league. The Spirit’s victory not only solidifies their position but also fuels their ambitions for the rest of the season.
