Tolo calls game: Spirit edge Capitals in Bendigo

• WNBL Power Rankings: Updated after every round of WNBL26
• Latest News: Read more about the WNBL here
• New Wave: Meet the WNBL26 import players
• 2025-26 WNBL Team Lists and Roster Tracker

Spirit veteran Marianna Tolo called game as the clock expired to lift the defending champions over a tough UC Capitals 73-71 in Round 4 of WNBL in Bendigo on Saturday, November 8, 2025.

The 36-year-old Olympian drove down the middle of the lane on a baseline-out-of-bounds play but missed her left-handed lay-up but stayed with it, grabbed the offensive rebound and banked in the game-winning put-back.

"All I can think of is reflecting on Game 2 of the Grand Final last season where she (Tolo) did the exact same thing off a foul shot," Spirit head coach Kennedy Kereama said.

"Marianna is a winner — I mean, you can look at her career, she is. But I think she said that’s her first game-winner. I don’t know if that’s true or not, but yeah, I was stoked.

"I looked up at the clock and saw there was 0.1 of a second, and Canberra called timeout. I’m telling the team, 'Hey, let’s not celebrate yet, the game’s not over,' but at the same time congratulating Tolo on an incredible play in that moment — and obviously KG (Kelsey Griffin) finding her off the inbound play.

"I thought both KG and Tolo put in a captain’s effort today. So I’m incredibly proud of everyone.

It was a battle in the fourth quarter as the Capitals led by as many as five points (66-61) on Washington Mystics guard Jade Melbourne's three but the defending champions showed the mettle that led them to the WNBL25 championship.

"We were obviously still continuing to work on ball security, and I thought 12 turnovers tonight — the ball movement, the poise — and I think what was most impressive for me was the scoring dried up significantly in the third quarter, 10 to 21-point third quarter," Kereama added.

"But players still continued to back themselves on good shots. KG making a big one in the corner, Meg (McConnell) making a massive one just in front of the Canberra bench, Polly (Olivia Pollerd) making a massive one in the corner as well, KG on the left side, going down the middle, Tolo — I mean, probably be on a postcard at some point — Tolo getting an offensive rebound and finishing the game for us."

Five-time WNBL champion and three-time WNBL Grand Final MVP Griffin, 38, said she was embracing her leadership role as the club's captain. She had an extraordinary 16 boards in 32 minutes and was +12.

"I’m really excited about the opportunity to be at the starting point of the career of a lot of these really talented players," she said.

"My approach is to try to put everyone in a position to be as successful as they can be — whether it’s at training or in games. I know this year, probably more than any year in recent time, that’s my job, that’s what I need to do.

"When things are getting a bit rattled, be the calming voice. Everyone’s going to look to me for answers and what to do, and they have immense trust in me. I take that responsibility very seriously.

"I think it’s now 16 years or something like that of experience — and for some people it’s their first year — and so I think that’s what I can do for this team, that’s what I’m trying to do.

"I didn’t have necessarily the best mentors when I was turning pro, and so I really want to be able to pour into these young ones so they can have really long, happy, enjoyable careers and really set them up for success."

The Spirit had four players in double figures: Opals star Isobel Borlase (25); Griffin (11); Tolo (10); and McConnell (10) while former WNBA player Kadi Sissoko, from France, had 19 points, Australian Opal Melbourne 15 and WNBA draftee Nyadiew Puoch 10.

Key Details

• Result: Bendigo Spirit 73 def. UC Capitals 71
• When: 8th November 2025
• Where: Red Energy Arena, Bendigo
• Attendance: 1,122
• Standings

By the Numbers

• Isobel Borlase (Bendigo Spirit) starred with 25 points, two rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block in 39 minutes.
• Kadi Sissoko (UC Capitals) scored 19 points, had four rebounds, one assist, one steal, and one block in 33 minutes.

What Happened

Bendigo Spirit exploded out of the gates, dominating the first quarter 28-18 behind Borlase's efficient scoring. The home side maintained their advantage through the second period despite UC Capitals outscoring them 19-16, taking a 44-37 lead into halftime.

The momentum shifted dramatically in the third quarter as Capitals mounted a comeback, outscoring Spirit 21-11. Jade Melbourne's leadership proved crucial during this stretch as the visitors briefly took the lead. However, Bendigo regained control in the final period, outscoring Capitals 18-13 to secure the narrow victory.

Kelsey Griffin delivered a dominant performance on the boards for Bendigo, collecting a game-high 16 rebounds including three offensive boards. The Spirit captain's presence was instrumental in providing second-chance opportunities while her 11 points included two crucial three-pointers.

Bendigo's superior efficiency proved the difference, shooting 52.5 percent from the field (21-from-40) compared to UC's 42.9 percent (21-from-49). While the Capitals connected on eight three-pointers at a solid 40 percent clip, Bendigo's advantage at the free-throw line (10-from-13 versus 5-from-9) proved decisive in the close contest.

Marianna Tolo provided a stellar two-way presence for Bendigo with 10 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two blocks. For the Capitals, Melbourne contributed 15 points, five rebounds and four assists, though her four turnovers proved costly. Nicole Munger added valuable depth off the bench with eight points and seven rebounds in 25 minutes.