Perth Lynx Secure Crucial Victory in WNBL Semifinals Opener
The Perth Lynx have taken a significant step towards the WNBL grand final, defeating the Bendigo Spirit 86-76 in the opening game of their semifinals series on Saturday. The match, held at the Perth High Performance Centre, saw the Lynx establish an early advantage in the best-of-three series, with Game Two scheduled for Tuesday in Bendigo.
Third Quarter Surge Seals the Win
After a tightly contested first half, the Lynx exploded in the third quarter to break the game open. Bendigo had narrowed the gap to just one point, but Perth responded with a dominant run, building a 15-point lead heading into the final period. Despite a late fightback from the Spirit, who reduced the deficit to six points, the Lynx managed to regain control and secure the 10-point victory.
Coach Petrik Sees Room for Improvement
While pleased with the result, Perth Lynx coach Ryan Petrik emphasised that his team has considerable room for growth. "I'm happy to have won it, but I thought we had multiple chances to knock them out," Petrik stated. "Every time we were in that process, they'd come down and hit a big shot or we'd blow a bunny or get a scheme wrong. So, we know there is a lot to clean up."
Petrik highlighted the challenges posed by elite competition, noting that opponents often force errors in high-pressure situations. "Good opposition in high pressure and high stakes moments will make you do things you don't want to do," he added. The coach plans to review extensive game footage before Tuesday's crucial away game.
Standout Performances from Key Players
The Lynx's victory was powered by impressive individual efforts across the roster:
- Anneli Maley delivered a stellar all-around performance with 24 points, 13 rebounds, five assists, and three steals.
- Ally Wilson matched Maley's scoring output, contributing 24 points along with six rebounds and five assists.
- Amy Atwell added 17 points, while Han Xu chipped in with 12 points to round out a balanced offensive attack.
For the Bendigo Spirit, WNBL MVP Isobel Borlase led the way with a strong performance of 22 points, 16 rebounds, and seven assists, but it wasn't enough to overcome Perth's depth.
Team Depth and Offensive Philosophy Praised
Coach Petrik praised his team's collective effort and the effectiveness of their offensive strategy. "We've said from day one that we wanted to be more of a ball movement and more body movement style of offence this year," he explained. "The ball has generally popped more than previous seasons, so they're a bit more engaged on the offensive end and a bit more engaged on the defensive end. It makes them really hard to guard because all five are involved."
Petrik expressed satisfaction with the team's ability to score 86 points despite not feeling they played their best offensively. "We scored 86 and I'm not convinced we played that well on offence at all. We will take that," he concluded, underscoring the potential for even stronger performances as the series progresses.
