Post-Game Report January 7 V Sydney Flames
The Deakin Melbourne Boomers had won 11 of the last 12 games against the Sydney Flames heading into Sunday afternoon’s match-up. A win was crucial for the Boomers to keep their top two position on the Cygnett WNBL ladder and while scoring wasn’t easy for both sides, the Boomers held on to win 62-55 at Qudos Bank Arena.
The Sydney Flames began the game firing with Lauren Nicholson and Didi Richards opening the scoring tally for the game. The Boomers allowed the Flames to get out to a 9-0 lead early off the back of a lack of rebounding, scrappy passing, and unforced errors.
It was Jordin Canada who began the scoring run for the Boomers with a strong drive through the lane, closely followed by a mid-range jumper from Keely Froling in the next run of play. A turnover from the Flames saw Sara Blicavs get on the end of an assist from Canada to convert from beyond the arc to cut the Flames lead to two. The Boomers 7-0 scoring run was halted by a Cayla George three down the Flames end.
Aimie Rocci came off the bench late in the first and immediately made a presence by splashing a three to give the Boomers a much-needed confidence booster. Froling drove through the lane to level the score and went to the line to convert the and one to end the quarter and give the Boomers their first lead of the game 13-12.
The Boomers didn’t hold onto the lead for too long as Nicholson hit a three to begin the second quarter which gave the lead back to the Flames. This time it was Penina Davidson who answered on the Boomers end with a jumper to level the scores again. Converted free throws from Rocci and a deep three from Monique Conti gave the Boomers their biggest lead of the game, 20-15. Canada continued to show her class in the league by splitting the defense off a screen to fly through the paint for a tough basket.
Naz Hillmon converted in the paint off a Sydney turnover in what was the beginning of a stellar performance from the Boomers centre; this saw the Boomers lead extend out to seven. Late baskets from Blicavs helped the Boomers hold onto a 31-28 lead at the half.
Canada and Hillmon linked up on a pick and roll under the ring to begin the second half to nudge the Boomers lead out a little further. Nicholson answered with a deep two, and George followed from beyond the arc to cut the Boomers lead to one early in the quarter. It was tough scoring from this point onwards, with the scoring drought being broken by Richards at the six-minute mark to give Sydney back the lead, 35-34. Canada showed why she is a class above with an assist under the ring through traffic to Froling who converted to force another lead change in favour of the Boomers. Hillmon proved too strong on the offensive end for the Flames having a breakout quarter by adding 9 points and 4 rebounds to her tally. This helped the Boomers to a narrow 46-42 lead at the end of the third term.
It was tough to score again to begin the fourth, and it was Richards who hit the scoreboard first to cut the Boomers lead to two. Tera Reed responded on the Boomers end to record her first points of the game and extend the lead again. The Flames forced the Boomers into turnovers on the offensive end however, were unable to capitalise on the errors as the Boomers played tight defense and gave nothing away.
The game entered yet another scoring drough which was ended by Conti going coast to coast to extend the Boomers lead midway through the last. It was basket-for-basket from there with the Boomers unable to break out with no more than a four-point lead. Late in the fourth, Froling converted from three to give the Boomers a game-high nine-point lead.
The Flames continued to make the Boomers work for the win with Nicholson and Paige Bradley hurting them on the scoreboard. A late three from Tess Madgen in her return to court since the start of December cut the Boomers lead to five however, Flames turnovers were to the advantage of the Boomers as they were sent to the line to chip away at their lead to win, 62-55.
The Melbourne Boomers maintain their top two position on the Cygnett WNBL ladder and return home to the Boom Box to play the Townsville Fire on Wednesday, January 10 at 7 pm.
Tickets are selling fast and can be purchased here. With only four home games remaining for the season, you won’t want to miss the Boomers in action!