Burton brilliance leads Spirit to 10-point Game 1 win

• Bendigo take Game 1 by 10 points at home
• Veronica Burton led all scorers with 24 points in 38 minutes
• Townsville came ready to play but lost the fourth quarter 29-19

Standout guard Veronica Burton's 24-point performance led the Bendigo Spirit to a gritty come-from-behind 70-60 win (Game Centre) against the Townsville Fire in Game 1 of the WNBL Grand Final Series at Red Energy Arena in Bendigo on Wednesday, March 5, 2025.

Key Details

• Result: Bendigo Spirit 70 def. Townsville Fire 60
• When: 5th March 2025
• Where: Red Energy Arena, Bendigo
• Series: Bendigo 1 | Townsville Fire 0

By the Numbers

• Veronica Burton (Bendigo Spirit) starred with 24 points, five rebounds, and six assists in 38 minutes.
• Abbey Ellis (Townsville Fire) scored 17 points, and had six rebounds, and one assist in 27 minutes.

What Happened

Townsville came ready to play, jumping out to a 23-16 lead after one quarter. It was a defensive arm wrestle in the first half as the contest went into the break 33-28 with just 22 points scored in the second quarter. It was tied at 41 after three.

As the final period began, both teams traded baskets, with Townsville briefly taking the lead after Ellis knocked down a driving layup to put them ahead 44-43. However, Bendigo Spirit quickly responded, regaining the advantage with Kelly Wilson’s clutch three-pointer at the 9:52 mark.

Ellis continued to be a force for Townsville, converting a layup at 8:24, putting them up 45-44, but the lead was short-lived. Kelsey Griffin answered back with a jump shot, helping Bendigo reclaim a slim margin at 46-45.

As the game reached its final five minutes, Burton and Whitcomb played a crucial role in extending Bendigo’s lead. Whitcomb’s layup at 5:34 pushed the advantage to 57-51, capping off a strong sequence of defensive stops and efficient offense.

Townsville refused to back down, as Courtney Woods fought hard on the offensive glass, securing key rebounds and putting up second-chance points. Her tip-in layup at 5:15 kept Townsville within striking distance at 57-53. However, turnovers and missed opportunities began to pile up, allowing Bendigo to capitalise at the free-throw line.

As the clock wound down, Bendigo’s defense held strong. Townsville’s final push saw Cox and Ellis attempt multiple shots, but they failed to convert when it mattered most. Meanwhile, Bendigo sealed the victory at the free-throw line, with Burton and Griffin making crucial shots to close out the game.

Burton's outstanding performance was the catalyst for Bendigo's success. Her 24 points on 7-from-18 shooting, including 4-from-6 from beyond the arc, kept the Fire's defense under pressure throughout the night.

Marianna Tolo provided valuable support with 15 points and nine rebounds, while WNBL MVP Sami Whitcomb contributed 12 points, eight rebounds, and three assists.

For Townsville, Abby Ellis led the charge with 17 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome Bendigo's defensive pressure. The Fire struggled from long range, connecting on just 5-from-22 (22%) of their three-point attempts compared to the Spirit's 6-from-19 (31%).

Bendigo's superior ball movement was evident in their 13 assists to Townsville's seven. The Spirit also capitalised on their opportunities from the free-throw line, shooting an impressive 18-from-20 (90%) compared to the Fire's 7-from-10 (70%).

Defensively, Bendigo's rim protection was solid, with six blocks to Townsville's five. This interior presence helped limit the Fire's scoring opportunities and forced them into tougher shots down the stretch, as evidenced by their 35% field goal percentage.

Game 2 is on Sunday, March 9, 2025 in Townsville.