31
Dec
4 min read
Big 3: Burton, Whitcomb and Tolo douse Fire
Veronica Burton of the Spirit dribbles the ball during the round nine WNBL match between Townsville Fire and Bendigo Spirit at Townsville Entertainment Centre on December 31, 2024, in Townsville. Photo: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images
Bendigo Spirit win tough road game to go to 11-2 in WNBL25
- Bendigo Spirit move to 11-2, stay top of the ladder
- Veronica Burton has equal game-high 18 points for Spirit
- Abbey Ellis also has 18 for now 7-5 Townsville Fire
Bendigo Spirit toppled the Townsville Fire 76-65 (Game Centre) in the last game of 2024 at Townsville Stadium on December 31, 2024.
The Spirit's three stars spearheaded the win with Veronica Burton (18), Sami Whitcomb (16), and Marianna Tolo (15) all had double figures.
The game opened with both teams trading blows, but it was Bendigo who seized control in the second quarter, never relinquishing their lead. Townsville's usually potent offense sputtered against the Spirit's suffocating defense, which forced 19 turnovers and consistently disrupted the Fire's rhythm.
Bendigo's victory was orchestrated by the stellar play of Burton, who put on a masterclass with 18 points, seven assists, and three steals.
Burton's ability to penetrate Townsville's defense and create opportunities for her teammates proved instrumental in maintaining the Spirit's lead. Alongside Burton, Sami Whitcomb provided crucial firepower, contributing 16 points and seven rebounds.
For Townsville, Abbey Ellis led the Fire with 18 points, while Lauren Cox posted a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds. However, their efforts were undermined by the team's collective struggles, particularly in ball security and perimeter shooting.
The statistics tell a tale of two vastly different defensive performances. Bendigo's aggressive approach yielded 14 steals to Townsville's seven, a disparity that proved decisive in the final outcome. The Spirit also dominated from beyond the arc, sinking 12 three-pointers to the Fire's five, effectively stretching Townsville's defense and creating gaps for interior scoring.
As for Bendigo, they move to 11-2 with Burton and Whitcomb forming a formidable backcourt duo, and Marianna Tolo anchoring the defense with six blocks in this game.
