Captain Kelsey closes door on Caps in road win

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Kelsey Griffin delivered a captain’s performance for Bendigo, anchoring the Spirit at both ends in their 77–73 win over UC Capitals and providing the control that ultimately decided a tight contest.

The Kelsey Griffin finished with a double-double – 20 points and 14 rebounds – but her influence extended well beyond the box score. Griffin set the physical tone early, battling inside against a committed UC frontcourt and repeatedly finishing possessions with defensive rebounds. In a game that swung back and forth, her ability to stabilise Bendigo during momentum shifts proved critical.

Offensively, Griffin balanced patience with assertiveness. She mixed post touches with face-up opportunities, drawing fouls and forcing UC to commit help defenders. While her shooting efficiency was solid rather than spectacular, her decision-making was consistent, particularly late, when Bendigo needed reliable options to close the game. Griffin also chipped in three assists, a reflection of her awareness when UC collapsed into the paint.

Defensively, Griffin’s presence shaped UC’s shot profile. Her positioning discouraged straight-line drives and limited second-chance opportunities, helping Bendigo finish with a rebounding edge in a four-point game.

Bendigo stay second, tightening pressure on Townsville, while UC remain fifth, now a game back of Southside, narrowing their margin for error in the playoff race.

Key Details

• Result: Bendigo Spirit 77 def. UC Capitals 73
• When: 25th of January 2026
• Where: AIS Arena, Canberra
• Attendance: 3,506
• Standings

By the Numbers

• Isobel Borlase (Bendigo Spirit) starred with 23 points, six rebounds, four assists, one block, and two steals in twenty-seven minutes.
• Zitina Aokuso (UC Capitals) scored 22 points, collected six rebounds, two assists, one block, and one steal in thirty-six minutes.

What Happened

The Bendigo Spirit held their nerve late to secure a 77–73 road win over the UC Capitals at AIS Arena on Sunday night, closing a tight contest that featured 17 lead changes and momentum swings across all four quarters.

UC opened with early intent, defending the paint and leaning into transition to edge the first quarter 15–11. Nyadiew Puoch and Zitina Aokuso established inside touches, while Jade Melbourne steadied the offence. Bendigo’s scoring came in short bursts, but the visitors struggled to convert consistently as UC’s activity disrupted early rhythm.

The game flipped in the second quarter. Bendigo increased tempo, moved the ball side-to-side, and punished UC’s rotations. Isobel Borlase began asserting herself as a primary scoring option, attacking gaps and finishing efficiently in the lane. A decisive 28–18 second term gave the Spirit a 39–33 halftime lead, built on improved shot selection and control of the glass.

UC responded after the break. Aokuso went to work inside, Puoch hit timely perimeter shots, and Melbourne found cutters as the Capitals briefly reclaimed momentum. The third quarter tightened into a possession-by-possession battle, with both teams trading scores and neither able to create separation. Bendigo carried a narrow edge into the final period, but the margin never felt secure.

The fourth quarter became a test of execution. UC continued to generate paint touches and second-chance looks, keeping the contest within one or two possessions. However, Bendigo’s composure late proved decisive. Borlase delivered the defining stretch, converting difficult finishes through contact and calmly knocking down free throws to halt UC runs. Kelsey Griffin anchored the interior, controlling the boards and providing stability at both ends as the clock wound down.

Statistically, the difference came in efficiency and control. Bendigo shot 52.5 percent from the field to UC’s 45.1 percent and finished with a +3 edge on the glass. Borlase led all scorers with 23 points on an ultra-efficient 10-of-13 from two, adding six rebounds and four assists. Griffin posted a double-double with 20 points and 14 rebounds, setting the tone physically. Abbey Wehrung’s minutes were impactful defensively, reflected in a team-best +9.

For UC, Aokuso was a constant presence with 22 points and six rebounds, while Puoch added 18 and competed on both ends across heavy minutes. Melbourne’s seven assists highlighted her playmaking role, though the Capitals couldn’t quite generate enough perimeter scoring to flip the game late.

Ultimately, Bendigo’s ability to win the middle quarters, finish possessions with rebounds, and execute through Borlase and Griffin in closing time was the separator. UC matched intensity and effort, but the Spirit’s efficiency and late-game composure delivered a hard-earned four-point win in Canberra.