GRILL’D POST-GAME REPORT ROUND 9
The Deakin Melbourne Boomers returned to the Boom Box against the Southside Flyers in Game 2 of the Michele Timms Cup! In front of a sell-out crowd the Boomers, unfortunately, suffered their second loss of the season, going down to the Flyers 88-70.
The Boomers left nothing on the line to start the game, it was a physical affair from both sides with bodies flying everywhere. Tiffany Mitchell started the game firing and Cayla George was getting it done under the basket. It was an entertaining quarter with George and Abbey Bishop going toe-to-toe at both ends of the Court. The opening quarter was highlighted by Tess Madgen returning from injury for the first time this season. The Boomers held a narrow lead over the Flyers at the end of the first, 21-20.
It was basket-for-basket to start the second, in what was still a physical game. Sara Blicavs was beginning to hurt the Boomers on the offensive end with 10 second-quarter points. A stoppage in play saw Kayla Thornton from the Flyers leave the court however, this didn’t stop the momentum of the Flyers. Madgen found the bottom of the basket late in the quarter and recorded her first points this season with a triple. With Kristy Wallace in foul trouble, the Boomers trailed the Flyers 46-38.
Wallace, George, and Olivia Nelson-Ododa started the third off strongly for the Boomers and cut the Flyers lead to just 3, 55-52. Turnovers and missed shots proved costly for the Boomers as the Flyers edged out their lead throughout the third. The Boomers couldn’t contain Blicavs as she started to become a menace on the offensive end as they led at the last break, 71-56.
Despite being fouled out early in the last quarter, Nelson-Ododa was winning the battle against Lauren Jackson and held her to 9 points for the game. The Flyers were making it hard for the Boomers to score and more offensive fouls were proving very costly. In the end, Blicavs could not be contained and finished the game with 41 points to help the Flyers to record the win.
Kristy Wallace fought to the end and was your Player of the Game with 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists. Cayla George recorded another double-double with 17 points & 13 rebounds. Olivia Nelson-Ododa got the better of LJ finishing with 14 points & 5 rebounds.
The Deakin Melbourne Boomers hit the road to for game two of Round 9 against the Bendigo Spirit on Sunday 8th January at 2pm AEDT. You can watch them live on 9NOW.