Boomer Tess Madgen (centre) competes with Gabrielle Richards and Kristi Harrower. Photo: Mick Connolly
Bendigo Spirit showed why it has won 11 games in a row and Melbourne Boomers showed just how close they are to the WNBL pace-setters when the two clubs clashed on Saturday.
The Spirit took a 60-55 win in a physical match at the State Basketball Centre but had a scare as the home side stormed back from 15 points down in the final six minutes to get within three points with three minutes remaining.
But after going scoreless for five minutes the Spirit clicked back into gear, with WNBA import Kelsey Griffin making a clutch jump-shot from the corner with 1:15 left to extend the lead to five and effectively end the Boomers' charge.
The win was the Spirit's 11th straight and came in its eighth away trip in 12 weeks.
Spirit coach Bernie Harrower said his side had shown great fight to hold off the Boomers.
''I think we stopped and they came back at us, which is a credit to them,'' Harrower said.
''We are a little bit fatigued and the group needs a break but we still have a couple of big home games ahead of us with Sydney and then Dandenong, so we just have to get through to the Christmas break.''
Spirit centre Gabrielle Richards proved to be the difference in the match, scoring a game-high 24 points and grabbing nine rebounds; she was the only Spirit player to score in double-figures as the side shot just 21 of 69 shots for 30 per cent from the field and 18 per cent from the three-point line.
''We struggled with our outside shooting and our offence in general today,'' Harrower said.
The Spirit's defence was once again its saviour, forcing 19 turnovers. Richards was simply happy to come away with the win.
''Going on a five-minute no scoring spree is always going to make it tough,'' Richards said.
''I guess we haven't had to grind out a lot of wins this year so it's pleasing to know we can still do it.
''I'll take a close win over a loss any day - any time we threw it inside they would have three players there so it made things very tough.''
The Boomers looked frustrated by some of the calls on the court, especially when guard Rebecca Cole was given a warning for flopping after being twice felled on back-screens from Chelsea Aubry.
Boomers guard Amelia Todhunter led her side with 14 points, while Rebecca Allen added 13 points plus six blocks.
''We all did a really great job to get it back but to lose was tough,'' Todhunter said.
''We battled hard and I think [Boomers coach] Guy Molloy was really happy with how we came back and thinks that can be something to take into our next meeting with them.''
The Boomers have the doomsday-double road trip to Perth and Adelaide next weekend, while both Dandenong and Bendigo host Sydney University Flames on Saturday and Sunday respectively.
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