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Bendigo's grip on top spot has been loosened significantly after they suffered upset losses to the Perth Lynx and Southside Flyers in round eight.

The Southside Flyers have pulled off a huge WNBL upset, defeating the ladder-leading Bendigo Spirit 91-88 despite a 31-point effort from Veronica Burton.

The Flyers entered Sunday's match near the foot of the table after posting just three wins from their first nine games.

But led by Bec Cole (22 points, eight rebounds, three steals), Naz Hillmon (19 points, 10 rebounds) and Maddi Rocci (18 points), they pulled off one of the upsets of the season.

Southside led by 15 points early in the final term before Bendigo, inspired by big games from Burton and Marianna Tolo (23 points), launched a huge fightback that whittled the margin back to just two with more than a minute remaining.

Burton had a chance to send the game into overtime, but her rushed three-pointer on the run with just a second left missed the mark. 

The result capped a bad week for Bendigo, who lost 71-68 at home to the second-placed Perth Lynx on Thursday.

Alex Wilson scored a team-high 20 points for Perth, while Anneli Maley was huge with 12 points, 16 rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks.

Tolo led the way for Bendigo with 16 points, while Burton (14 points, 10 rebounds) and Kelsey Griffin (10 points, 17 rebounds) produced double-doubles. 

The Spirit remain on top of the ladder with a 9-2 record, but the Lynx (8-3) are close behind and can close the gap further when they host Geelong at HBF Stadium in Perth on Monday. 

In Sunday's earlier game, the Adelaide Lightning produced a monster final quarter to defeat the  Sydney Flames 86-73.

The Flames led 62-52 at the final change, but the Lightning exploded with a 34-11 final term to snatch the come-from-behind victory.

Isobel Borlase led the way for Adelaide with 22 points and six rebounds, while Brianna Turner (15 points, 14 rebounds, four blocks) and Steph Talbot (13 points, 11 rebounds, six assists) were also huge.

Tahlia Tupaea led the scoring for Sydney with 18 points. 

The Flames also lost to the Townsville Fire 98-73 on Wednesday after being smashed 63-28 in the first half. 

The Fire followed up that victory with a crushing 81-48 triumph over the last-placed UC Capitals (2-8) on Saturday.

Alicia Froling and Courtney Woods scored 17 points apiece, while Saffron Shiels chipped in with 10 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.

Jade Melbourne (16 points) was the only Capitals player to make it into double figures.