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Sami has Flyers at wits-end in 19-point blowout
Sami Whitcomb of the Spirit drives to the basket during the round 14 WNBL match between Bendigo Spirit and Southside Flyers at Red Energy Arena on February 02, 2025, in Bendigo. Photo: Kelly Defina/Getty Images
Bendigo Spirit undisputed WNBL25 title favourites, go four games clear on ladder
- Sami Whitcomb and Marianna Tolo combine for 55 points
- Whitcomb goes 8-from-13-from three, scores 33
- Naz Hillmon has 22 points, Dallas Loughridge 21 in 19-point loss
WNBL25 MVP-in-waiting Sami Whitcomb led the Bendigo Spirit to a dominant 92-73 victory against the Southside Flyers on Sunday, February 2, 2025 in the last game of round 14.
Whitcomb's game-high 33 points, including a blistering 8-from-13 from beyond the arc, propelled the Spirit to 18th win of the season and a lock on first place on the ladder.
The Spirit seized control early, racing out to a 28-17 lead after the first quarter behind Whitcomb's hot hand.
The 35-year-old guard continued her assault in the second period, draining three consecutive three-pointers to push the advantage to 20 points. Bendigo's suffocating defense held the Flyers to just 37% shooting on the day, forcing 19 turnovers that led to numerous fast break opportunities.
While Whitcomb stole the headlines, it was a complete team effort for the Spirit. Australian Opals teammate Marianna Tolo dominated the paint with 22 points and nine rebounds, while Veronica Burton orchestrated the offense with seven assists. The Flyers struggled to find consistent scoring outside of Naz Hillmon (22 points) and Dallas Loughridge (21 points), as the rest of the team shot a combined 7-from-41 from the field.
The numbers tell the story of Bendigo's dominance. The Spirit outscored the Flyers 42-21 from three-point range, with Whitcomb nearly matching Southside's total on her own. Bendigo also held a decisive 23-10 advantage in assists, showcasing their superior ball movement and team chemistry.
For Whitcomb, it was a performance to remember in a storied career. The two-time WNBA champion has been a steadying presence for Bendigo all season, but took her game to another level against the Flyers.
The win solidifies Bendigo's position as a legitimate and undisputed title favourites.
