Britt Sykes stars as Canberra Capitals dominate Bendigo Spirit in WNBL

Would fans witness a rearguard action in Canberra's clash with the Bendigo Spirit after coach Paul Goriss was banned for a month?

Or would the integrity breach that also saw referee Simon Cosier rubbed out for a season be too much of a distraction for a Capitals team already missing inspirational leader Kelsey Griffin?

They responded as any true contender would. Britt Sykes registered 33 points as the Capitals rose above adversity to make a huge statement with a dominant 100-88 win over the Bendigo Spirit. One can only wonder how far the margin would have blown out if not for Anneli Maley's 38 points and 19 rebounds for the visitors.

The Capitals had little more than 24 hours to adjust after Goriss was banned until January 20 for accepting confidential footage of a Sydney Flames scrimmage session from veteran referee Cosier before their round one game.

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Canberra officials have declared they will stand by Goriss, who is refusing to shy away from the issue after admitting his guilt in accepting the footage. There is little doubt as to where his playing group's loyalties lie.

Griffin was desperate to play in a bid to present a united front, so much so that she was willing to risk further damage to her facial fractures which are yet to properly heal.

Instead she begrudgingly took her place on the bench, a few seats down from Capitals assistant coach Kennedy Kereama who has taken the reins in Goriss' absence.

But her teammates rose to the challenge. Sykes was blocking shots and intercepting passes at will. Alex Bunton and Mikaela Ruef dominated the paint. Britt Smart and Kelly Wilson pushed the pace to leave the Spirit scrambling.

Sykes posted 12 points in the opening quarter alone to drive the Capitals to a nine-point lead in a rousing start that had the home crowd in raptures.

It seemed as though the wind had drifted out of Canberra's sails when Bendigo sliced the gap to two during the second quarter. But then Wilson and Smart drained shots from long range and normal transmission had all but resumed.

Sykes is striking a combination with rising star Jade Melbourne that will have the Capitals salivating. The American import brings fans to their feet with every shot, every cheer, every flex.

"You've got to love her charisma, her energy and her passion for the game of basketball," Kereama said.

"She certainly is an incredibly animated player and you know exactly what you see is what you get with Britt. In terms of what she did, it was everything. Credit to her teammates, everyone played their role when they needed to.

"But Britt, goodness, pull-up jump shots, getting on the rim, facilitating for teammates, blocking shots, changing shots, rebounding, splitting double teams. Great players will always find ways to continue playing the game and find great success.

Given the circumstances and how the week has developed, that was something this team really needed and something the team was wanting to fight hard for. I'll give credit to Bendigo, they made it as difficult as they possibly could.

"To come out with a win given the week that has been is just a great victory for this team and this club and the players."

The Capitals shot at 27 per cent in their loss to Adelaide last weekend. On Wednesday night, they were shooting at 57 per cent from the field.

Six players hit double figures for the hosts. Sykes led the way with a supporting cast of Smart, Ruef, Wilson, Bunton and Melbourne all hitting double figures.

Bendigo, outside Maley at least, struggled to find answers. Maddie Garrick had a night to forget, shooting three from 15 in an outing that summed up most of Bendigo's night.

The Capitals are still waiting to call on the cavalry in Griffin and Tahlia Tupaea [shoulder], who may be kept on ice until the new year.

Meanwhile, the postponed round two game between the Capitals and Sydney Flames has been rescheduled for January 14 at the National Convention Centre in round seven.

The date of the rescheduled match means Goriss' suspension could now effectively stretch to six games, given he is banned from coaching the Capitals until January 20.

AT A GLANCE

WNBL round four: CANBERRA CAPITALS 100 (Britt Sykes 33, Kelly Wilson 14, Britt Smart 13) bt BENDIGO SPIRIT 88 (Annely Maley 38, Maddie Garrick 12, Alex Wilson 11) at National Convention Centre.

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