Sport

Stunning fourth-quarter comeback in Shepparton-hosted WNBL preseason clash

By Callum Farquhar

Oct 9, 2025

Bendigo Spirit’s Marianna Tolo goes up to the rim against Southside Flyers. Photo by Megan Fisher

It may have been a trial run for the real deal, but Shepparton basketball fans were given a mouthwatering preview of the Women’s National Basketball League season on Wednesday night.

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The Bendigo Spirit and Southside Melbourne Flyers took to the court Visy Stadium for a practice match ahead of season 2025-26, and it came down to the wire - although it didn’t always look to be the case.

Leading by as many as 19 in the third term, the Spirit were tracking to waltz into the WNBL season.

The Flyers had other ideas.

Trailing by 13 at the final change, Tera Reed and 19-year-old Manuela Puoch combined for 21 points in the last term, as a 33-16 quarter saw the Flyers usurp Bendigo at the finish to win 70-66.

Bendigo’s Megan McConnell, the sister of TJ McConnell, a point guard from NBA franchise the Indiana Pacers, and a former WNBA-listed player in her own right, and Olympic Boomer Isobel Borlase, flashed strong displays on the night but Puoch (17 points) and Reed (16 points) produced a captivating clutch-time display to break the Spirit by the final buzzer.

News photographer Megan Fisher was at Visy Stadium to capture the thrilling basketball.