Southside in their huddle after the game. (Image: @SouthsideFlyers -Twitter)
With the top three in a horse race for a home final come season end, the Southside Flyers showed their class with a second-half dominance and the season series over the Bendigo Spirit.
Both teams played physicality for the majority of the first quarter, with the Flyers setting the tone defensively
Kayla Thornton went to work in the first quarter, scoring 12 points, whilst Anneli Maley was aggressive driving to the basket and had a strong start for the Spirit.
Whilst Bendigo brought the intensity to start the second quarter, Southside responded back scoring baskets and lifting the defensive pressure, forcing problems for the visitors’ offence and in-bound half-court sets.
The Flyers were the team more controlled offensively, with efficient ball movement, picking up five offensive rebounds and finding the open spaces, resulting in hitting open shots from the three-point line.
Thornton continued to cause problems with her athleticism driving to the basket, including hitting a clutch shot going into halftime. While Lauren Jackson was efficient in the post and knocked down some three-pointers, whilst Maddi Rocci was on song from the three-point line.
The Flyers made the most of their opportunities shooting-wise, shooting at 10 from 14 at 71 per cent from three.
Bendigo’s turnovers were the story in the third quarter, turning over the ball 21 times, whilst the Flyers had seven more steals on the defensive end.
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The Flyers continued to share the ball around offensively, with Bec Cole, Monique Conti, and Nyadiew Pouch finding their influence in the game. The Flyers continued to set the tone going into the last quarter, outscoring the Spirit, 32-16.
The bench for the Flyers had a huge impact, finishing the game outscoring the Spirit’s bench, 49 points to 25 points, while converting points from turnovers, 39-24, sealing victory, 118-72.
The Flyers go on the road in Round 10, facing the Lynx on Friday night in Perth.
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