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Dec
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Borlase stacks another game in MVP-level season
Isobel Borlase of the Spirit drives at the basket under pressure from Tera Reed of the Flyers during the round 10 WNBL match between Southside Flyers and Bendigo Spirit at VIC State Basketball Centre on December 21, 2025 in Melbourne. Photo: Graham Denholm/Getty Images
Highlights
Isobel Borlase pours in 27 as Bendigo win ninth straight and tighten grip on WNBL26 ladder.
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Australian Opals star and WNBA draftee Isobel Borlase has relegated reigning MVP Sami Whitcomb to a memory in 2025-26.
The 21-year-old guard is the leading candidate for the WNBL26 and further staked her claim after dropping 27 points in Bendigo's 70–60 win against the Southside Melbourne Flyers at the Victorian State Basketball Centre on Sunday, December 21, 2025. It was the Spirit's ninth straight win and are 12-2 at the top of the ladder.
"We’re not getting caught up in win streaks or outcomes — it’s about the process and how we go about it," head coach Kennedy Kereama said.
"We treat every game the same and prepare for every team with the same level of scouting and preparation.
"The second game with a quick turnaround is always harder, but from our perspective it really is one game at a time.
"We’ll continue to look for ways to improve out of both wins and losses. That won’t change."
Bendigo led for more than 32 minutes of game time, absorbed multiple Flyers pushes, and closed with composure in the fourth quarter. Southside struggled to score consistently late, managing just 12 points in the final term as Bendigo’s defensive pressure and rebounding control took hold.
"The way teams defended her last game made things difficult, but she found ways," Kereama added.
"She’s a competitor, an elite athlete, and she has great teammates around her.
"For her to come out today and shine the way she did was incredibly impressive.
"A lot of that credit goes to how the team plays together and figures things out collectively.
"When teams throw different coverages at us, the group does a great job of working out how to attack those and use them to our advantage."
Isobel Borlase (Bendigo)
Isobel Borlase delivered a high-usage, high-impact performance across nearly the full 40 minutes, carrying Bendigo offensively while also dominating the glass.
- Minutes: 39:23
- Points: 27 (game-high)
- Two-point shooting: 4–11 (36.4%)
- Three-point shooting: 3–8 (37.5%)
- Free throws: 10–12 (83.3%)
- Rebounds: 11 (2 offensive, 9 defensive)
- Assists: 3
- Turnovers: 3
- Steals: 0
- Blocks: 0
- Fouls drawn: 8
- Plus/Minus: +12
- Efficiency: 24
Borlase consistently put pressure on the rim, lived at the free-throw line, and punished defensive rotations with timely perimeter shooting. Her rebounding presence was decisive, particularly on the defensive end, helping Bendigo limit Southside to one-and-done possessions late.
Kelsey Griffin provided efficiency inside with 11 points on 4–5 shooting, plus 6 rebounds, while Abbey Wehrung added perimeter balance with 13 points and 3 made threes. Megan McConnell contributed across the board with 7 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals despite a tough shooting night.
Southside was led by Cayla George, who finished with 18 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 assists in a full 40-minute effort. Isabelle Bourne added 17 points on strong two-point efficiency, while Maddy Rocci chipped in 11 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists. The Flyers shot just 18.5% from three (5–27) and struggled to generate scoring momentum late.
This was Isobel Borlase’s game on both ends — volume scoring, relentless rim pressure, elite rebounding, and calm execution across heavy minutes. Bendigo didn’t just get points; they got control, toughness, and leadership when the game tightened.
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