Bendigo Spirit Women Edge Adelaide Link Lightning Women 76-70 in Club Friendship Clash

Bendigo Spirit Women left Adelaide with a hard-fought 76-70 road victory over Adelaide Link Lightning Women in the Club Friendship competition on Saturday, September 19, 2026. In a game that was tied at halftime, Bendigo seized control with a decisive third-quarter run and then held off a late Adelaide surge to secure an important win in the standings.

The final score of 76-70 reflected the tight nature of the contest. Adelaide stayed within striking distance throughout, but Bendigo’s poise at the free-throw line and their ability to generate stops in the closing minutes proved to be the difference. The result gives Bendigo a valuable head-to-head advantage and adds pressure to the Lightning’s push for a higher playoff seed.

Match Overview

Played at Adelaide’s home floor, the game featured contrasting styles. Adelaide Link Lightning Women looked to push the pace early, using quick ball movement and perimeter shooting to keep the Spirit defense off balance. Bendigo Spirit Women, meanwhile, settled into a more physical half-court approach, attacking the paint and crashing the offensive glass.

The first quarter set the tone for a back-and-forth affair. Adelaide came out with energy, but Bendigo answered every run. By the end of the opening period, the Spirit held a narrow 19-16 lead. The second quarter belonged more to the Lightning, who found rhythm from beyond the arc and used a 20-17 advantage to send the teams into halftime locked at 36-36.

Key Moments and Quarter Breakdown

The third quarter proved to be the turning point. Bendigo Spirit Women came out of the locker room with renewed defensive intensity, switching aggressively on screens and forcing Adelaide into contested shots. The Spirit outscored the Lightning 22-14 in the period, turning a tied game into a 58-50 lead heading into the final ten minutes.

• First quarter: Adelaide Link Lightning Women 16, Bendigo Spirit Women 19
• Second quarter: Adelaide Link Lightning Women 20, Bendigo Spirit Women 17
• Third quarter: Adelaide Link Lightning Women 14, Bendigo Spirit Women 22
• Fourth quarter: Adelaide Link Lightning Women 20, Bendigo Spirit Women 18
• Final score: Adelaide Link Lightning Women 70, Bendigo Spirit Women 76

Adelaide refused to go away quietly. In the fourth quarter, the Lightning cut the deficit to four points on multiple occasions, energizing the home crowd. However, each time they threatened, Bendigo had an answer. A clutch three-pointer from the wing and a series of made free throws in the final two minutes kept the Spirit in front.

Tactical Story of the Game

Bendigo’s third-quarter adjustment was the defining tactical feature. The Spirit shifted into a more compact defensive shell, daring Adelaide to shoot from the perimeter while taking away driving lanes. That strategy worked: the Lightning managed just 14 points in the third, their lowest output of any quarter.

On offense, Bendigo leaned heavily on high ball screens and interior passing. Their guards repeatedly turned the corner and either finished at the rim or kicked out to open shooters. Adelaide struggled to contain dribble penetration without fouling, and Bendigo made them pay at the charity stripe, especially in the fourth quarter.

Adelaide’s best stretches came when they played with pace. The Lightning pushed the ball after misses and attacked before Bendigo’s defense could set. But those stretches were too intermittent. Turnovers and missed second-chance opportunities ultimately cost them a chance to complete the comeback.

Standout Players

Bendigo Spirit Women were led by an excellent two-way performance from guard Ellie Saunders, who finished with 22 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals. Saunders was particularly effective in the third quarter, scoring 9 points during the decisive run and setting up teammates with timely passes.

Forward Chloe Bennett added 16 points and 9 rebounds, controlling the glass on both ends. Center Tia Roberts contributed a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds, while also altering several shots at the rim. The Spirit’s bench provided valuable minutes, helping maintain defensive intensity when the starters rested.

For Adelaide Link Lightning Women, Maya Johnson was the top scorer with 19 points and 7 rebounds. Captain Sophie Mitchell added 15 points and 5 assists, while guard Ava Thompson chipped in 12 points. Despite the loss, Adelaide’s young core showed composure in the fourth quarter