Isobel Borlase has made a triumphant return to Adelaide, posting a double-double as the Bendigo Spirit inflicted an 82-74 win over her former WNBL side the Lightning.
The Opals gun was integral to the 13-2 run across quarter-time that kickstarted the Spirit in Tuesday's game, Borlase's first against the Lightning since leaving in the off-season.
"I was actually a bit nervous, to be honest. Going up against friends, I don't really like doing, so it was nice to get the win," said Borlase (24 points, 11 rebounds, five assists).
The season's second-most prolific scorer before tip-off, Borlase was into double digits less than a minute after quarter time, dominating the paint as the Spirit began to kick clear of their fast-starting hosts.
Her most eye-catching play had come slightly earlier as she pounced on a quarterback-style pass up-court from captain Kelsey Griffin (18 points, 12 rebounds) for two points.
Borlase had three personal fouls by halftime but did well to adjust.
"It's actually kind of funny, I was talking to my dad today at lunch and he said he thinks I might get in some foul trouble today, so that's on him," she joked.
The victory helps the defending champions shake off a disappointing loss to the Perth Lynx earlier in round five, while the Lightning have now lost back-to-back games.
"Anytime I felt like we kind of started to get some sort of momentum, they would hit a three or they'd get an and-one," Lightning coach Kerryn Mitchell said of the loss to Bendigo.
Veteran Steph Talbot (12 points, six assists) helped the Lightning strike early, scoring all of her side's first seven points including a three-pointer from the left side of the arc within a minute of tip-off.
But with Serena Sundell nursing a season-ending knee injury, the Lightning lacked consistent scoring punch.
The visitors had their first lead of the game and forced a Lightning timeout late in the first period after Griffin's three-pointer was followed by a Georgia Booth (11 points) lay-up in transition.
Bendigo never trailed after the first change and took a 16 point lead at the final break thanks to a 22-15 third term..
A Borlase lay-up pushed the advantage to 20 points, before the hosts put some respectability on the scoreboard late on.
"I thought the last minute and a half or two minutes was really good, and if we had've had that level of effort and intensity for more than two minutes, I think we'd maybe win," Mitchell said.
Opals centre Marianna Tolo (15 points, three offensive rebounds) was an important presence under the basket as the Spirit grabbed the first seven offensive rebounds of the game.
