Perth has 'Answer' for Spirit in HoopsFest opener

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WNBL star Ally Wilson lit up the scoreboard as the Perth Lynx shutdown Bendigo Spirit in the second half of the first game of HoopsFest making big plays on both sides of the ball to secure a tough 85-81 win in Perth.

Wilson poured in game-high 26 points while the Lynx held the Spirit to just 29 points in the second half after the defending champions led 52-40 at the main break.

MVP candidate Anneli Maley, who ripped down 16 rebounds, hit a big three down the stretch, Alex Ciabattoni made a clutch layup and Chinese national team star Han Xu a crucial offensive rebound put-back to give the home team the edge as Bendigo's offense stalled in the fourth quarter. The Spirit scored just 12 points.

Perth moved to 14-4, equal with Townsville and Bendigo dropped to 13-4. It's now a three-team race for home court advantage in the WNBL26 Finals.

Hoopsfest's star attraction Allen Iverson aka The Answer arrived midway through the fourth quarter to watch his first game of the four-day festival.

Key Details

• Result: Perth Lynx 85 def. Bendigo Spirit 81
• When: Thursday, 15th of January 2026
• Where: RAC Arena, Perth
• Standings

By the Numbers

• Ally Wilson (Perth Lynx) starred with 26 points, seven rebounds and three assists in 35 minutes.
• Isobel Borlase (Bendigo Spirit) scored 21 points and had 11 rebounds, three assists in 39 minutes.

What Happened

The Spirit established early control, leading 30-22 at the end of the first quarter behind a dominant nine-point opening period run. They maintained their advantage through the second quarter, taking a 52-40 lead into halftime with consistent offensive execution throughout the first half.

Perth fought back brilliantly in the third quarter, outscoring Bendigo 26-17 to cut the deficit to just three points heading into the final period. The Lynx's improved ball movement and defensive intensity sparked the comeback, with Wilson beginning to find her rhythm from beyond the arc during this crucial stretch.

The fourth quarter became a tense affair with four lead changes as both teams traded crucial baskets. Wilson's explosive performance proved decisive, as the guard connected on six three-pointers throughout the contest, including several clutch triples in the final period that helped Perth secure the narrow victory.

Wilson's outstanding shooting display was complemented by Anneli Maley's dominant presence in the paint, as the captain grabbed 16 rebounds to anchor Perth's interior game. Her six offensive boards provided crucial second-chance opportunities that proved vital in the tight finish. Han Xu contributed 14 points despite shooting struggles, going 5-from-16 from two-point range but adding 10 rebounds to help control the glass.

For Bendigo, Isobel Borlase delivered an impressive all-around performance with her 21-point, 11-rebound double-double, shooting efficiently from the charity stripe with perfect 8-from-8 free-throw shooting. Kelsey Rees provided valuable support with 16 points, connecting on five three-pointers at a solid 71% clip from downtown. However, the Spirit's inability to maintain their early momentum proved costly as they managed just 12 points in the fourth quarter.

The key difference lay in Perth's superior rebounding, as the Lynx out-rebounded Bendigo 50-44, including a significant 17-10 advantage on the offensive glass. This second-chance production resulted in 18 second-chance points compared to the Spirit's four. Despite Bendigo's better three-point shooting at 40% versus Perth's 34.48%, the hosts' extra possessions and free-throw advantage ultimately decided the outcome.