GRILL’D POST-GAME REPORT ROUND 16
The Deakin Melbourne Boomers hosted the Sydney Flames in the last regular game for the 2022/23 Cygnett WNBL Season and were looking to build strong momentum heading into the Cygnett WNBL Finals next week. The Flames travelled to the Boom Box without star players Tiana Mangakahia & Jocelyn Willoughby; the undermanned visitors were overrun by the Boomers, 100-60.
The game started with a bit of back-and-forth basketball with the Flames matching the Boomers on the scoreboard until Tiffany Mitchell went on a scoring spree. Mitchell got off to an exceptionally well start and was unable to be contained on the offensive end. The Boomers were good out in transition and were able to convert stoppages on the scoreboard and held a strong, 26-15 lead at the end of the first.
The Flames began to contain the Boomers defensively, allowing only 10 points to get past them for the first 8 minutes of the second quarter. The Boomers contributed evenly together across the quarter to continue to build their lead. Mitchell still had a strong presence on the offensive end finishing with 13 points at the half, while Mia Murray & Olivia Nelson-Ododa supported both with 8 points. Cayla George was menacing on the boards with 6 rebounds heading into the second half.
A 31-point third quarter for the Boomers was damaging to the Flames; Kristy Wallace started the third off with a bang with a tough contested lay-up. It started to look like a Boomers brand of basketball again as they continued to build their lead in the third. The Boomers defensive pressure proved too strong, and without the presence of Mangakahia & Willoughby on the scoreboard for the Flames, they were finding it hard to convert. Despite Keely Froling stepping up in their absence, the Boomers held the Flames to just 4 points at the 7-minute mark and took a healthy lead going into the last, 75-41.
The Boomers looked to their bench for the final quarter and gave their starters a well-earned break. This didn’t stop the momentum that was building as Miela Goodchild fed off the energy of the crowd to hit 8 points in a matter of minutes. Penina Davidson was strong off the bench and steadied the Boomers to a convincing 100-60 win over the Flames.
Tiffany Mitchell was the best of the Boomers finishing with 24 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist; Penina Davidson had a strong game off the bench with 15 points and 8 rebounds; and Mia Murray finished with 11 points.
The Boomers will look to take this winning momentum into the Cygnett WNBL Finals next week when they take on the Southside Flyers. They will want to turn the tables on their regular season series with the Flyers and take the win on their charge for a back-to-back WNBL title.
Game one of the series against the Flyers will be played on Wednesday 8th March at 7.30pm at the State Basketball Centre, and game two will be played on Saturday 11th March 7.30pm at Melbourne Sports Stadiums- Parkville. Tickets go on sale Monday 6th March at 9am and can be purchased here.