Whitcomb fires unbeaten Spirit to top of WNBL ladder

November 10

Australian Opals star Sami Whitcomb has fired again as Bendigo Spirit extended their winning start to the WNBL season with a 95-78 victory over newcomers Geelong United.

Whitcomb produced a game-high 28 points on 62 per cent shooting from the field – including 5-of-9 from long range – in her side’s home win on Sunday at Red Energy Arena.

The veteran guard added added seven rebounds, five steals and two assists, continuing her hot start to the new season.

Casey Samuels (15 points, six rebounds) and Marianna Tolo (10 points, seven rebounds) were also important for the Spirit, who dominated the opening period and led throughout the contest.

Captain Keely Froling (26 points, 13 rebounds) stood out for Geelong, who refused to lie down and won both the third and fourth periods.

Bendigo’s huge lead was cut to 12 points midway through the final quarter before they steadied late in the game.

“We’re building and we feel really good together,” Whitcomb told Nine post-game.

“We just have a lot of really hard-working, unselfish players.

“A lot of times that turns into getting good shots and we have a lot of really great shooters, so when we make them it’s pretty good.

“Obviously we’d love to not have the lapses that we had in the second half, especially in that fourth quarter, but they’re all things we can work on.”

Sunday’s win completed a perfect round for Bendigo, who beat the UC Capitals 99-76 away on Friday night behind Whitcomb’s 25 points and 22 from Tolo.

Caps captain Jade Melbourne (22 points) and 2021 WNBA top draft pick Charli Collier (17 points, 11 rebounds) provided resistance for the hosts.

Geelong posted the first win of their debut season on Thursday night, toppling the reigning champion Southside Flyers 90-87 at home.

Elissa Brett (15 points) put United in front with 16 seconds left before she and Haley Jones (19 points) sealed the result from the foul line.

Froling (18 points) was also important against a Flyers outfit led by import forward Naz Hillmon (27 points), Alice Kunek (25) and Bec Cole (20).

Southside bounced back on Saturday, giving new coach Kristi Harrower her first win in charge with an 83-75 triumph over the Sydney Flames.

Cole (24 points, 10 rebounds) posted a double-double and Hillmon (19 points, nine rebounds) went close in outstanding performances for the Flyers.

Cayla George (22 points, 14 rebounds) continued her strong start to the season for the Flames.

Townsville Fire (2-0) are the league’s only other unbeaten team after their 84-80 road win over the Perth Lynx in the round-two opener on Wednesday.

Alicia Froling (25 points, 10 rebounds), Courtney Woods (25 points) and Lauren Cox (18 points, four blocks) dominated as a revamped Fire line-up made it two wins from as many starts this season.

Perth recovered on Saturday with a 92-78 win over Adelaide Lightning, with all five of the visitors’ starters posting double-figure points tallies.

Captain Anneli Maley (18 points, 12 rebounds) and Laeticia Amihere (17 points) impressed for the Lynx, while Opals guard Isobel Borlase top-scored for the Lightning with a game-high 24 points.

Round three tips off on Wednesday when Sydney host Bendigo at Quaycentre.

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