GRILL’D POST-GAME REPORT ROUND 12
The Perth Lynx traveled to the Boom Box to face the Deakin Melbourne Boomers in Lauren Scherf’s 200th WNBL game. The Lynx were able to hold off the Boomers to continue their winning streak and late-season surge to the top 4.
Lauren Scherf and Amy Atwell started the scoring off for the Lynx, and Kristy Wallace and Tiffany Mitchell closely followed for the Boomers with a couple of quick buckets. Scores were close early as both teams started to miss easy shots. Mitchell started off well with 10 points in the quarter however, Atwell started to become dangerous from beyond the arc and helped the Lynx to a 1-point lead, 23-22.
The Lynx scored six quick points to begin the second – two 3’s from Atwell. Wallace and Olivia Nelson-Ododa responded on the scoreboard after a timeout early in the quarter by the Boomers however, Perth’s defensive pressure, Atwell’s sharp shooting, and Robbi Ryan’s offensive grit proved to be the difference as the Lynx extended their lead. Sophie Burrows and Rachel Brewster were impressive off the bench for the Boomers and hit shots from beyond the arc each to cut Perth’s lead back to 6. This still wasn’t enough as Perth blew their lead out to 10 at the end of the half, 56-46.
The Boomers came out firing in the third with baskets from Mitchell, Wallace, and Cayla George and the Lynx’s lead was cut to 5 early. The pressure started to mount on the Lynx and Nelson-Ododa leveled scores, 61-61. The Boomers started to make silly turnovers late in the quarter and were unable to find the bottom of the rim to trail the Lynx, 73-62 going into the last.
It looked to be another tight finish at the Boom Box as Wallace went on a late-quarter surge scoring 9 points in 2 minutes. The Lynx were still able to execute on their end and the Boomers were unable to clinch the win going down to the Lynx, 91-82.
The win puts the Lynx on a 7-game winning streak and sees them biting on the heels of the Townsville Fire and Bendigo Spirit to slot into the top 4. The Boomers loss is their second in a row at home as they slide down the ladder to second. They will need to bounce back next week as they face the Bendigo Spirit, where the season ledger is at 1-1. A win will keep them in the top 2.
Tiffany Mitchell started the game off firing and was Player of the Game with 22 points, 8 rebounds & 7 assists. Kristy Wallace’s final quarter surge saw her finish with 22 points & 4 assists. Olivia Nelson-Ododa had another solid performance with 19 points & 6 boards.
The Melbourne Boomers return to the Boom Box next Sunday 5th February at 3 pm against the Bendigo Spirit. Tickets are available at Ticketek.