Spirit stalls again

Ben Cameron | Bendigo Weekly | 09-Dec-2011 4.57pm

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CHASING WINS: Gabe Richards. Photo: ANDREW PERRYMAN
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Every game from here on in will be massive, star Bendigo Spirit centre Gabe Richards said, after their up and down season continued with an eight-point loss to Bulleen on Wednesday night.
In front of a packed house, swelled by competitors from the Australian Secondary School Championships, Spirit were hoping to follow up their 39 point shellacking of the AIS last weekend, but were undone by Rachel Jarry, who netted a 23 points in the opening half.
“I think we are at the point in our season now, where every game is now a big game,” Richards said.
“The bottom line is, if we want to play in the finals, which is of course our goal, then we have to win.
“We just can’t afford to lose anymore. We just need to find a way to all be firing together.”
It was a night of mixed fortunes for the Spirit, as they went down 76-68, trying to find their second of the season against the reigning premiers.
Kristi Harrower returned to form with 25 points, nailing five from outside the perimeter, while collecting five assists and four rebounds.
And Richards wore WNBL star and Australian Opal Liz Cambage like a glove, keeping her to just 16 points, while shooting 15 herself.
“Liz is just such an imposing player to have to match up on,” Richards said.
“It’s rare in my life to feel short, but I definitely do against her.
“It was handy to get her in foul trouble early, so I just kept attacking her.”
More concerning however was the form of stars Tess Madgen and Deanna Smith, who failed to shine, with eight and four points respectively, and an overall leaky defence.
“We wanted our focus to be on defence, yet we just couldn’t get it done,” Richards said.
The Spirit will be keen to take their frustration out on the AIS at home this Saturday night.
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