Sami has Fire at 'Whits' end, dropping 35 in win

Written By

Peter Brown

basketball.com.au

Sami has Fire at 'Whits' end, dropping 35 in win

Sami Whitcomb of the Spirit celebrates another bucket during the round seven WNBL match between Bendigo Spirit and Townsville Fire at Red Energy Arena, on December 14, 2024, in Bendigo. Photo: Adam Trafford/Getty Images

WNBA star Sami Whitcomb drops 35 on Townsville Fire

Whitcomb's stellar shooting night propels Spirit to crucial win
Bendigo overcomes strong efforts from Fire's Woods, Ellis, and Mansfield
Spirit improves to 9-0 record

WNBA and Australian Opals star Sami Whitcomb caught fire, burning Townsville for 35 to keep the Bendigo Spirit unbeaten after a tough 86-80 win (Game Centre) against the Fire at Bendigo Stadium on December 14, 2024.

Whitcomb, 36, put on a shooting clinic for the Bendigo Spirit, pouring in a game-high 35 points on an efficient 12-of-21 shooting from the field (57%), including 5-of-8 from beyond the arc (62.5%). She added seven boards and six assists. Class is permanent.

The veteran guard's performance was crucial in holding off a determined Townsville Fire, which fell to 4-4. Whitcomb's 35-point performance came on the back of her historic Triple Double against the Perth Lynx on December 5, 2024.

Whitcomb's scoring outburst was complemented by strong contributions from Kelsey Griffin (16 points, nine rebounds) and Veronica Burton (14 points, six assists). The balanced attack helped Bendigo overcome a resilient Townsville team that refused to go away.

It looked over early with Bendigo dominating the first half, up 20 (52-32) after 20 minutes but a 29-13 third quarter that included four steals and four blocks, the Fire was right in it. Townsville drew level at 67-67 on Courtney Woods jump shot and within two after Lauren Mansfield laid the ball in with 3:20 to go. But the Spirit made crucial down the stretch. Whitcomb iced with with a pair of clutch free throws with just 28 seconds to go to make it 86-80.

Fire's trio keeps it close

Despite the loss, Townsville were tough. Courtney Woods (17 points, 12 rebounds), Abbey Ellis (17 points), and Lauren Mansfield (17 points, seven rebounds). Their combined production kept the Fire within striking distance throughout the contest.

Sami Whitcomb of the Spirit drives on Alex Fowler of the Fire during the round seven WNBL match between Bendigo Spirit and Townsville Fire at Red Energy Arena, on December 14, 2024, in Bendigo. Photo: Adam Trafford/Getty Images

What's next

9-0 Bendigo has a double-header in Round Eight. The first is a blockbuster top-of-the-table clash against the 7-3 Perth Lynx (Game Centre) on Thursday, December 19, 2024, at home and then Sunday, December 22, 2024 on the road against 3-6 Southside Flyers (Game Centre).

Townsville goes again, quickly, against the 4-4 Sydney Flames (Game Centre) at home on Wednesday, December 18, 2024 and the 2-7 UC Capitals (Game Centre) three days later on December 21, 2024.