11 December 2007
The ACUVUE Sydney University Flames maintained second place on the Women’s National Basketball League ladder on Sunday, despite an upset 73-64 loss to Bendigo Spirit at the Schweppes Centre, Bendigo, on Sunday.
The loss was off-set by an easy 84-56 win over Perth Lynx at the Sydney University Sports and Aquatic Centre on Friday night.
The Flames controlled proceedings in Bendigo for most of the first three quarters, but never established a big enough margin to shake off the hosts, who dominated the final quarter to cause the upset.
The nine-point victory has the Spirit positioned fourth on the ladder with an 8-6 record. The Spirit trailed by four points at three-quarter time, 51-47, but took control of the game in the last term with accurate three-point shooting.
With just over four minutes remaining in what had been a defensive slog, the Flames led 58-56 on the back of a three-pointer from Kristen Veal.
However, the Spirit then nailed four consecutive three-pointers - two to Andrea Walsh and one each to Kathleen McLeod and Jenna O'Hea - to open up a 10-point break with 2:06 remaining.
With a vocal home crowd behind the Spirit, it was a deficit the Flames could not reel in.
Spirit coach Bernie Harrower said it was his team’s best win of the season.
"Against a quality team, to score a win like that after we have been on the road for so long ... the girls really dug deep when we were behind the eight-ball and not playing really well,’’ he said.
"Credit to Sydney, they didn't let us play well, but to come up with some huge shots in that last quarter was a fantastic effort.''
The Flames led 19-15 at quarter-time and maintained their lead throughout the second term, going to the 33-30 in front.
The Spirit hit the front for the first time with 3:30 remaining in the third term when Gabrielle Richards hit a three-point shot to give Bendigo a 41-39 advantage.
But the Flames closed the quarter out with a 12-6 run to regain the lead going into the last quarter. Richards was the standout for the Spirit in the victory. She scored a game-high 23 points, 14 of which came in the first half.
MacLeod continued her outstanding season as she scored 15 points while also dishing out eight assists as she played all 40 minutes of the game. O'Hea (12) was the only other Spirit player to score in double figures.
The league's leading scorer, Sydney's Natalie Porter, and Alicia Poto always shaped as the main offensive dangers for the Spirit. Porter finished with 17 points, down on her season average of 23.6, while Poto was held to 11.
It was a different story for the Flames on their home court on Friday night.
Avenging an early season loss to the Lynx, the Flames did not look falling for a repeat performance.
Skipper Porter led from the front, scoring 21 points while pulling in five rebounds and dishing out five assists in only 23 minutes.
She was well supported by Mikaela Dombkins, who contributed 19 points, shooting 50 per cent from the field.
Carly Wilson was a stand-out for the Lynx, with 14 points. She was well supported by Sam Richards and ex-Flame Jamie-Lee Samuels.
Flames coach Karen Dalton was able to use 11 out of the 12 players in her roster, with all contributing to the scoreline.
The Flames established a 14-point lead at the main break and went on with the job in the second half. They were assisted by the Lynx, who continued to turn over possession and shoot poorly - connecting from only one of 13 three-point attempts.
The newest addition to the ACUVUE Sydney Uni Flames, Molly Lewis joined the long range bombers in the fourth quarter, connecting on her first three-point attempt in the blue and gold.
The Flames next home game is against the Bendigo Spirit on December 21, with tip-off at 7.30pm at the Sydney Uni Sports and Aquatic Centre.