23
Feb
Game 1
Whitcomb's double-double extinguishes the Flames
Sami Whitcomb of the Spirit handles the ball during game one of the WNBL Semi Final series between Bendigo Spirit and Sydney Flames at Red Energy Arena, on February 23, 2025, in Bendigo, Australia. Photo: Kelly Defina/Getty Images
A big first half puts the Bendigo Spirit one win away from WNBL grand final.
- 2025 WNBL MVP Sami Whitcomb led from the front with 26 points and 11 rebounds
- Bendigo dominated the first half, leading by 23 points at the main break
- Game two will be in Sydney on Thursday night
Sami Whitcomb's 26-point, 11-rebound double-double has led the Bendigo Spirit to a 76-67 victory over the Sydney Flames in game one of their WNBL semi-finals series at Red Energy Arena this afternoon.
The Bendigo Spirit asserted their dominance early, storming out to a 27-15 lead in the first quarter and they maintained their momentum in the second period, outscoring the Flames 24-13 to take a commanding 51-28 halftime advantage.
Whitcomb, who claimed the league MVP award, looked on a mission to try and win her first WNBL championship, sparking the Spirit's run in the second quarter with back-to-back makes from beyond the arc, extending Bendigo's lead to 39-21 and effectively breaking the game open.
Sydney showed signs of life in the third quarter, narrowing the gap slightly with a 21-16 run, including a three-point play from Cayla George, which narrowed the deficit to 69-57 but Bendigo's lead proved insurmountable.
Whitcomb's stellar performance was the backbone of Bendigo's victory, shooting an efficient 8-16, including 5-8 from three-point land, but the veteran guard's impact went beyond scoring after she contributed 11 rebounds and three assists.
The absence of Mikaela Ruef, who has been out since early December due to injury was felt by the Flames, as they struggled to match Bendigo on the boards, where the Spirit outrebounded Sydney 45-32, with Kelsey Griffin's 12 boards playing a crucial role.
The Flames' offensive struggles were epitomised by their 12 turnovers, which Bendigo converted into 13 points and Bendigo's bench provided a significant boost, outscoring Sydney's reserves 16-17. Abbey Wehrung's 10 points on 3-5 shooting from beyond the arc were particularly impactful, helping to maintain the Spirit's lead when the starters rested.
Tahlia Tupaea (16 points) and George (14 points) were the standouts for Sydney, who will need to bounce back when they host Bendigo on Thursday night.
The victory puts Bendigo within one win of reaching the WNBL Finals and hosting the grand final series, where they will host either the Perth Lynx or Townsville Fire. The Fire currently hold a 1-0 lead in that series.
