AAP
Adelaide have stated their WNBL title credentials with a drubbing of leaders Bendigo, while Townsville secured the last finals spot after overcoming a day of adversity.
The third-placed Lightning (15-6) outscored Bendigo 31-17 in the last quarter on Sunday on their way to an 86-66 home win and a fourth straight victory.
Bendigo (19-3) had an eight-match winning streak snapped and suffered their first defeat this season by more than five points and just their second loss in 12 away fixtures.
Adelaide scored the first six points and never trailed by more than one point at any stage before pulling away in the final term.
The Spirit were hurt by their wayward three-point shooting making just one out of 15 attempts and that was inside the last five minutes.
Suzy Batkovic scored 19 and Angela Marino 18 for Adelaide, though they shot at just 33 and 30 per cent from the field respectively.
Bendigo, who won 65-41 at West Coast (3-18) on Friday, will secure the minor premiership with one win from their last two games.
Dandenong (17-4) kept alive their slim hopes of knocking Bendigo from top spot with a 87-67 home drubbing of Logan.
Rangers' guard Kathleen MacLeod scored 20, but her team made only three of 14 three-point attempts.
Townsville (12-9) locked up fourth spot with a 98-91 double overtime away win at Sydney (6-15) on Saturday.
Bulleen (9-13) and Logan (8-14) had each entered the round with a small chance of finishing fourth.
Bulleen had a 98-70 home win over Logan, with Rachel Jarry starring with 23 points and 10 rebounds.
Townsville were upset 76-68 on Friday at Canberra (7-14), for who Nicole Hunt scored 21 and Brigette Ardossi 20.
Adding to their woes, a delayed flight from Canberra to Sydney on Saturday meant Townsville only arrived a few hours before the game against the Flames and had a rushed preparation.
They led by 12 in the second quarter, but trailed 62-53 early in the final quarter.
Sparked by some huge plays down the stretch from import Jessica Adair, (22 points, 13 rebounds), the Fire were up by four with under 40 seconds left.
However, Sarah Graham hit a three-pointer and made another basket with four seconds left to force the game into overtime.
Townsville skipped to a six-point lead, but were forced into double overtime by a Rohanee Cox basket with two seconds to go, before finally outscoring the Flames 15-8 in the second overtime period.
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