Whitcomb on the double-double puts Spirit into GF

• Bendigo Spirit sweep Sydney Flames 2-0 in WNBL25 Semi-Final Series
• Bendigo faces Townsville Fire in Grand Final series
• Sami Whitcomb leads Spirit with commanding 22-10 double-double

MVP Sami Whitcomb's 22 points and 10 rebounds double-double led the Spirit to a tough 91-74 Game 2 road win (Game Centre) against the Sydney Flames, sweeping the three-game series and setting up a Grand Final series against the Townsville Fire.

Key Details

• Result: Bendigo Spirit 91 def. Sydney Flames 74
• When: 27th of February 2025
• Where: Quaycentre, Sydney

By the Numbers

• Sami Whitcomb (Bendigo Spirit) starred with 22 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists in 35 minutes.
• Tahlia Tupaea (Sydney Flames) scored 24 points and had two rebounds and two assists in 37 minutes.

What Happened

The Bendigo Spirit stuck tough early, taking a narrow 23-21 lead after the first quarter. However, it was in the second quarter where they truly broke away, outscoring the Flames 30-13 to establish a commanding 53-34 halftime advantage. The Spirit's offensive efficiency and defensive pressure proved too much for Sydney to handle.

Sydney showed signs of life in the third quarter, matching Bendigo's intensity with a 23-20 quarter. Tahlia Tupaea's hot shooting kept the Flames in contention, as she connected on four of five attempts from beyond the arc. Despite this resurgence, Bendigo maintained their lead, entering the final period with a 73-57 advantage.

The fourth quarter saw Bendigo tighten their grip on the game, limiting Sydney to just seven points while adding 18 to their own tally. A crucial sequence came with 5:32 remaining, as Sami Whitcomb drained a three-pointer and followed it up with a steal and assist to Kelly Wilson, effectively sealing the victory for the Spirit.

Whitcomb's impact extended beyond her scoring, as she filled the stat sheet with 22 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, and a steal. Her efficiency was notable, shooting 50% from the field and a perfect seven-for-seven from the free-throw line. Kelly Wilson complemented Whitcomb's performance with 14 points and five assists, showcasing the Spirit's depth.

For Sydney, Tupaea's 24-point effort on an impressive 81.8% shooting (9-from-11 from the field, including 4-from-5 from three-point range) stood out. However, her six turnovers highlighted the Flames' struggles with ball security throughout the game.

The Spirit's balanced attack was evident in their shooting percentages, connecting on 50.8% of their field goals compared to Sydney's 48.3%. Bendigo's superiority from the free-throw line (93.3% to Sydney's 50%) and their advantage in assists (25 to 18) underscored their more cohesive team play.

Defensively, Bendigo forced 17 turnovers while committing only 11 of their own, translating into a 20-8 advantage in points off turnovers. This disparity in ball protection played a significant role in the final outcome.