Borlase: Spirit chemistry driving belief and balance

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Australian Opals guard Isobel Borlase is on fire, lighting up UC Capitals for 33 points just 48 hours after torching Southside Melbourne Flyers with 42 as Bendigo overwhelmed UC Capitals 89-72 in front of a raucous home crowd in Bendigo on Friday, January 23, 2026 in Round 15 of WNBL26.

"It was a short turnaround," Borlase, 21, said.

"This stretch kind of feels like tournament play – game, day off, game. So it’s just about recovering and trying to get as many wins as we can.

"It was so good. We played in front of a decent crowd at HoopsFest as well, and that’s what we want. It gives us momentum and creates a real atmosphere.

"Basketball’s growing everywhere, and this season the crowds have been getting better everywhere we go. It was great, and I hope to see it again."

Bendigo (15-4) and the Capitals (8-11) go again in Canberra on Sunday, January 25, 2026.

"We were just focused on making finals," Borlase added.

"Now that we’ve put ourselves in a good position, getting wins and trying to secure a home final is important. I assume it’s a good advantage.

"I’ve never played finals before, so we’re just doing what we can to be in the best position possible."

It's a tough double-header for the Capitals, fighting Southside Melbourne Flyers (8-10) for fourth spot with Perth Lynx (14-5), Bendigo and league leaders Townsville Fire (16-4) all locked in.

The Caps stayed tough in the first half, going into the main break down 46-44 but scored just 28 in the second.

"Obviously Bendigo are a really good team, especially at home," Capitals head coach Paul Goriss said.

"We know Borlase was coming off a great game in our last matchup, but I thought we did a great job staying in the game until halftime.

"Offensively, things dried up a little bit for us in the second half. I thought we turned the ball over way too much, and we missed some good looks around the basket.

"When that happens, you’re putting scoreboard pressure on yourselves against a very good team. You have to be able to finish plays and make plays.

"Free throws hurt us again. Our inability to make free throws doesn’t help the scoreboard when you’re just trying to keep it ticking over in a scrappy kind of game. Credit to Bendigo’s defense as well.

Capitals Jayda Clark emphasised how crucial Sunday's return leg was for Canberra's finals aspirations.

"Every victory is important," she said.

"You don’t want to lose any game. We’re aware of the ladder and where everyone sits, but you can’t look too far ahead. You have to be present in the game in front of you and take it one game at a time.

"Losses do add a bit more pressure to the next game and the next win, but realistically we just have to stick with our process and play our brand of basketball.

"I think we did that for a half tonight. We’ll go back, look at the tape, and get ready for another matchup against Bendigo on Sunday."

Borlase, who signed with the defending champions for WNBL26 after making the decision to leave the Adelaide Lightning, said the Spirit chemistry was key to their title defence.

"It’s super exciting," she said.

"I love all the girls on our team. We care about each other, and I think that shows on the court in how we play and share the ball.

"I think we surprise ourselves sometimes. We go in wanting to win, and then realise we can actually compete with teams like Perth and Townsville.

"It’s a great team to be part of."

Key Details

• Result: Bendigo Spirit 89 def. UC Capitals 72
• When: 23rd of January 2026
• Where: Red Energy Arena, Bendigo
• Attendance: 2,133
• Standings

By the Numbers

• Isobel Borlase (Bendigo Spirit) starred with thirty-three points, five rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block in thirty-six minutes.
• Kadiatou Sissoko (UC Capitals) scored eighteen points, collected three rebounds, one assist, and one block in thirty-four minutes.

What Happened

Bendigo Spirit and UC Capitals battled through a tightly contested opening half, with the first quarter setting the tone for a high-paced encounter. The teams traded the lead thirteen times, and the Capitals edged ahead 23-22 after the opening period. Bendigo responded with a dominant second quarter, outscoring the Capitals 24-21, fuelled by Borlase’s relentless attack and efficient outside shooting. By half-time, Bendigo held a slender two-point advantage, 46-44.

The match turned decisively in the third quarter. Bendigo Spirit’s defence tightened, limiting the Capitals to just thirteen points while maintaining offensive pressure. Borlase was unstoppable, finding her rhythm from both inside the paint and beyond the arc, and Megan McConnell orchestrated the offence with five assists and fifteen points of her own. The Spirit’s biggest run of twelve points in the second quarter created separation, and they entered the final period with a comfortable nine-point cushion.

Key moments included Borlase’s and-one conversion with 7:10 left in the third, stretching Bendigo’s lead to double digits for the first time. Minutes later, Olivia Pollerd knocked down a triple from the wing to halt a Capitals’ mini-run, keeping momentum firmly with the home side. In the fourth quarter, Abbey Wehrung’s three-pointer at 5:22 put the result beyond doubt, extending the lead to fifteen and igniting the Bendigo crowd. The Spirit’s ability to control the glass, with Kelsey Griffin cleaning the glass for thirteen rebounds, and efficient ball movement (twenty-one assists), proved decisive.

Bendigo’s offensive efficiency was evident throughout, shooting 52.6% from the field and a solid 40.6% from outside the arc (thirteen triples). They forced the Capitals into thirteen turnovers and capitalised with twelve points from those errors. The Spirit also dominated second-chance opportunities, outscoring the Capitals nine to eight in that category. Defensively, Bendigo’s rim protection and active hands limited the Capitals’ fastbreak chances and disrupted their rhythm.

The win sees Bendigo Spirit continue their ascent in the WNBL standings, positioning themselves as a legitimate contender as the season progresses. The UC Capitals, despite competitive stretches and a strong showing from Sissoko and Nyadiew Puoch (fifteen points, five rebounds, six assists), struggled to keep pace in the second half. The loss leaves the Capitals searching for consistency as the playoff race intensifies.