In a heart-stopping HoopsFest clash, the Perth Lynx have cemented their status as genuine championship contenders with a gutsy 85-81 victory over the Bendigo Spirit. The win at a buzzing RAC Arena on Thursday night not only punched their ticket to the WNBL finals but also propelled them into second place on the ladder.
A Rocky Start and a Spirited Fightback
The Lynx were forced to dig deep after a blistering start from the visitors. Bendigo Spirit came out firing, draining seven of their first ten three-point attempts to storm to a nine-point lead in the opening quarter. Their game plan was clear: physically disrupt Lynx star Han Xu at every opportunity, applying intense pressure whenever she touched the ball.
Despite a late flurry of triples from Perth to close the gap, they still trailed by eight at the first break. The second quarter saw the game threaten to slip away entirely. With Xu visibly frustrated and Anneli Maley yet to score, Bendigo stretched their advantage to a game-high 13 points.
The Momentum Shifts in a Blink
The turning point came with a dramatic shift in defensive intensity from the home side. Perth ramped up the pressure, Maley finally got on the board, and when the red-hot Ally Wilson nailed a three-pointer to become the game's equal top scorer, the deficit was suddenly just four points. Bendigo, however, steadied to take a 12-point lead into halftime.
The third quarter belonged to Han Xu and the resurgent Lynx. Xu flipped the script, becoming aggressive and inspiring her teammates. She poured in seven points for the term, with Maley, Wilson, and Amy Atwell each adding six, tying the scores and setting up a grandstand finish.
Sealing the Deal in a Tense Finale
The last period was a defensive slugfest where points were at a premium. With the game on the line, Ally Wilson stepped up once more, sinking a clutch three-pointer to put Perth ahead with just two and a half minutes remaining. Xu then extended the lead to three points, putting the Lynx in the driver's seat.
Riding the wave of energy from the home crowd, Perth held firm. Alex Ciabattoni, celebrating her 150th WNBL game, iced the victory with a crucial play in the final 18 seconds. The stat sheet told the story of a complete team effort: Wilson finished with a game-high 26 points, Xu posted a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds, Maley dominated the boards with 16 rebounds to go with 12 points, and Atwell contributed 13 points.
What This Win Means for the Lynx
This thrilling comeback victory is a massive statement. By taking down another top-tier opponent, the Lynx have proven their resilience and championship mettle. The win moves them to second on the ladder and sets up a blockbuster showdown with the league-leading Townsville Fire in their next outing, a match that could decide top spot.
For Bendigo Spirit, it was a case of a dominant start slipping away under Perth's relentless second-half pressure. The Lynx, now assured of finals basketball, will look to carry this momentum forward as they aim for a maiden WNBL championship.
