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Jan
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Untouchable Spirit go three games clear at top
Kelsey Griffin of the Spirit drives to the basket during the round 13 WNBL match between Bendigo Spirit and Adelaide Lightning at Red Energy Arena on January 24, 2025, in Bendigo. Photo: Kelly Defina/Getty Images
Kelsey Griffin leads Bendigo Spirit to tough home win against Adelaide
- Spirit have three-game break at the top of the WNBL Ladder
- Adelaide's playoff hopes extinguished
- Kelsey Griffin has 19-14 dominant double-double
League-leaders Bendigo Spirit edged out the Adelaide Lightning 65-59 (Game Centre) on Friday, January 24, 2025 in round 13 of WNBL25 at Red Energy Arena.
The Spirit's gritty performance, led by former WNBA players Kelsey Griffin, proved the difference in a defensive struggle that went down to the wire.
The Spirit set the tone early, stifling Adelaide's offense. The Lightning connected on just 2-from-22 attempts from beyond the arc.
The stat sheet tells the tale of a defensive slugfest. Both teams shot under 40% from the field, with Adelaide's 9.1% mark from three-point range was devastating for Adelaide's chances of winning the ball game.
Bendigo's slight edge on the glass proved crucial, out-rebounding Adelaide 46-40. Perhaps most tellingly, the Spirit's ability to get to the charity stripe - and convert once there — was a key factor, as they outscored the Lightning 12-9 from the free-throw line.
Kelsey Griffin was the standout performer, stuffing the stat sheet with 19 points, 14 rebounds, and three assists. Her 4-from-8 shooting from beyond the arc was a game-changer, providing the offensive spark Bendigo needed to pull away.
For Adelaide, it was a night of missed opportunities. Isobel Borlase led the way with 16 points, but no other Lightning player managed to crack double digits until the final minutes. Star forward Steph Talbot, normally a consistent threat from deep, was held to just 1-of-3 from long range as Bendigo's perimeter defence swarmed her all night.
