This was published 7 years ago
WNBL: Kelsey Griffin, Bendigo Spirit handle business in home win over Canberra Capitals
By Roy Ward
For years Kelsey Griffin has been the Bendigo Spirit's go-to player when the game was there to be won.
But on Saturday night she had several new helpers and that might be the most impressive element in the Spirit's 70-58 win over a strong Canberra Capitals at Bendigo Stadium.
Contributor: Bendigo import Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe.Credit: Mick Connolly
Griffin (14 points, 12 rebounds, four assists) was a constant presence throughout the game with her timely offensive rebounds boosting the Spirit in the first half.
She had four key points and set up two more baskets to open the final term before going to the exercise bike on the bench as Canadian import Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe (22 points, eight rebounds) and guard Ashleigh Karaitiana (10 points) picked up her lead and took their side to the victory with Karaitiana hitting a late three-pointer and Raincock-Ekunwe scoring eight points for the quarter.
Spirit centre Gabe Richards also showed her best is fast returning as she scored 13 points and grabbed nine rebounds.
The Capitals were hit early by foul trouble and despite having four fouls in the final term, Caps centre Marianna Tolo scored six of her 19 points to go with seven rebounds and four blocks while point guard Lauren Mansfield had another outstanding game with 16 points, seven rebounds and six assists.
Griffin said she loved having so much late game support and it was an outstanding development in this year's side.
"That is what's so special about this year's team – it can be anyone's game on any given night," Griffin said.
"We know everyone needs to chip in for us to be successful and we have really done that over the last three games."
Griffin added her last term hot start was the byproduct of not wanting a close finish when she detected the Capitals mounting a comeback.
"I don't like close games, I don't like watching them and I don't like being a part of them," Griffin said.
"So if there is anything I can do to give us a bit of a cushion I try to do it.
"I wanted the shots to fall all game then in the fourth quarter the shots were dropping but Gabe, Nayo and Ash all stayed aggressive – Ash showed a lot of strength by still taking her shots even when the earlier ones weren't dropping."
The Capitals made a strong start to the game but struggled to rebound and were forced into foul trouble which knocked around their offence and defence which Tolo admitted hurt them.
"They got a lot of offensive rebounds which really hurt us because we would play some really good defence then they would cheap baskets right underneath the hoop," Tolo said.
"Our flow on offence wasn't right, they disrupted us with their zone and changing up their defence."
Tolo, at 27 years old, received her first ever technical foul at any level during the second term after challenging a foul call.
"That was my first tech and I didn't even get to swear," Tolo exclaimed.
"It's a bit embarrassing but it's a lesson learned, I shouldn't have done that and it put them in a good position at that time of game. I won't be doing that again."
The Capitals play Dandenong Rangers at Dandenong Stadium on Sunday at 2pm.