Capitals fall late against Bendigo - The Canberra Times

Bendigo Spirit 84 bt Canberra Capitals 81

Not even a three-point masterclass from Nicole Hunt could inspire the Canberra Capitals to a boilover over WNBL leaders Bendigo in a heartbreaking 84-81 loss at AIS Arena on Friday night.

Hunt's heroics and a huge second half from Abby Bishop handed Canberra a nine-point fourth-quarter lead, but their woes down the stretch proved their Achilles heel again.

The Capitals are now 6-11 and any remote finals hopes they harboured are now gone.

Having scored just 29 points all season, Hunt finished with a game-high 24 points, including 6-10 from three-point territory.

One last-gasp Hunt bomb in the dying seconds missed the mark, effectively ending Canberra's playoff aspirations.

Nat Hurst was kept scoreless in her worst game of the season for Canberra.

The Australian Opals point guard missed a late chance to level the scores with a wide open six-footer in the closing stages.

Star Bendigo point guard Kristi Harrower racked up 14 assists to orchestrate the comeback victory, while Spirit bigs Gabrielle Richards (18 points), Kelsey Griffin (18) and Sara Blicavs (11) were also influential.

Kept to just two points in the first half, Bendigo guard Kelly Wilson (18 points) exploded from long range after the main break.

Star Canberra forward Bishop (19 points, five assists, 10 rebounds) scored 16 second-half points, while centre Alex Bunton (16 points, seven rebounds) had one of her best games of the season.

"I think we get a bit stagnant [down the stretch],'' Hunt said.

"We stand and watch and hope shots go down. In this league against this quality of team you can't do that. It's hurt us in a few last quarters.''

The loss continues a season of immense frustration for Canberra, which has beaten top four sides Dandenong and Townsville on the road, before coming close to upsetting Bendigo (14-1).

The Capitals scored the first seven points of the second half to lead 55-45, and one of the season's biggest boilovers was well and truly on the cards.

But Bendigo showed why it's lost just once all season, using its inside game to full advantage to storm home.

A two-pointer from Spirit big Gabrielle Richards gave the visitors an 80-79 lead with 45 seconds left, but Bunton replied with a mid-range jumper to reclaim the advantage.

However, a defensive breakdown allowed Bendigo's Kelsey Griffin to score a three-point play, giving Spirit an 83-81 lead with 31 seconds remaining.

BENDIGO SPIRIT 84 (Gabrielle Richards 18, Kelly Wilson 18, Kelsey Griffin 18) bt CANBERRA CAPITALS 81 (Nicole Hunt 24, Abby Bishop 19, Alex Bunton 16) at AIS Arena on Friday night.