UPDATE: The Bendigo Spirit have triumphed over the Townsville Fire with a score of 73-61 in a thrilling grand final rematch, but the victory comes at a heavy cost. Townsville’s star player, Lauren Cox, suffered a potentially serious knee injury during the game, leaving fans and teammates in shock.
The incident occurred late in the first quarter at the Townsville Entertainment Centre on January 3, 2024. Cox, last season’s defensive player of the year, attempted to secure a rebound but landed awkwardly, immediately clutching her left knee and calling for assistance. “When a person grabs their knee like that, it’s usually not going to be something great, so we’ll have to wait and see. She’s gone off to the hospital,” said coach Shannon Seebohm. The loss of Cox is significant, as she is a crucial player known for her defensive prowess and experience.
The Spirit now sit atop the WNBL ladder with an impressive record of 13-2, establishing a two-win buffer over Townsville at 11-3. Captain Kelsey Griffin led the charge for Bendigo with a double-double performance, contributing 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 steals. Griffin’s consistent play has been key to Bendigo’s success, and her leadership was evident in this high-stakes matchup.
Bendigo’s defense proved to be the game-changer, limiting Townsville, the league’s most prolific scoring team, to just 61 points—well below their season average of 79 points. Coach Kennedy Kereama expressed confidence in his squad’s performance, stating, “I’ve got no surprises with how this team’s playing. To be honest, I’m really surprised to look at the stat sheet and see we shot about 50 percent from both the three and two-point line.”
Despite missing Opal Courtney Woods due to a hamstring injury, Townsville fought back with efforts from Miela Sowah (16 points, 5 rebounds) and Alex Fowler (15 points, 8 rebounds). However, shooting woes plagued the Fire, as they managed only 35.6 percent from the field, including a dismal 10 from 39 in the paint. “If you take that many poor shots… that’s insane in the WNBL,” Seebohm lamented.
The game saw an early surge from Bendigo, who went on a 9-2 run and led by eight points at the end of the first quarter. Following Cox’s injury, Townsville managed a brief comeback with an 11-0 run, but Bendigo responded decisively, extending their lead to 44-30 by halftime.
As the dust settles from this intense rematch, the future remains uncertain for Townsville’s Lauren Cox. Fans and officials alike will be eagerly awaiting updates on her condition. Meanwhile, Bendigo aims to build on their momentum as they continue their strong season.
Stay tuned for more updates on Lauren Cox’s injury and upcoming matchups in the WNBL as both teams navigate this pivotal phase of the season.
