Hot Flames fan Lynx
Sydney Uni Flames coach Katrina Hibbert praised her side’s performance in their last-gasp win over Perth Lynx describing the result as a reward for effort.
The Flames trailed at every change before outscoring Perth 27-23 in the final term to register a 71-68 win. It was Sydney’s fourth of the season and second straight come-from-behind victory.
Hibbert said it was a more clinical comeback than Sunday’s win over the Villawood Properties Bendigo Spirit.
“We executed, found shots and put the ball in the hole whereas we missed easy opportunities against Bendigo which made it a tougher, scrappy game for us,’’ she said.
“We improved and while we have some lapses at times, we’re getting better in terms of decision making, execution and finishing games out.
“I think it’s reward for the girls. It hasn’t been easy in a bubble. We’ve lost a few close games – we fought really hard against Canberra, we’ve had good hit-outs against Townsville, probably just a bit off the pace against Flyers and Boomers but I’m proud of us getting that win and showing that we are in that top tier of teams.”
Christina Boag came into the starting line-up for Sydney, fresh from a match-winning performance over Bendigo, for Lauren Scherf. And the coach’s move paid dividends as Scherf came off the bench to have an impact teaming 19 points with 11 rebounds and 5 assists.
Ali Schwagmeyer-Belger sunk 19 points and led from the front, Nat Burton had 10 points in her 150th Chemist Warehouse WNBL game and rebounding machine Anneli Maley grabbed 14 rebounds, added 8 points and 4 assists.
For Perth, skipper Katie-Rae Ebzery, who drained a triple to put the Lynx in a position to win the contest with seconds left on the clock, topped the stat sheet with a game-high 24 points.
Alex Sharp had a 12 rebound-11-point double-double, while Alex Ciabattoni and Emma Clarke combined for 16 points.
Lynx leader Kayla Steindl felt her side undid their good early work in the final term.
“We’re not very pleased with how we played at the end of the game. I don’t think we followed the scout very well, they hit some shots and obviously ours weren’t falling for us the majority of the game,’’ she said.
“If the shots aren’t falling and we’re not putting points on the board, we’re not going to win.
“We’ve been clicking towards the end of the season and we played three pretty good quarters tonight, I suppose, but at half time we were 3 of 17 from the field and that percentage didn’t go up too much.
“It’s a tough loss.”
Next, the Flames face the Jayco Southside Flyers on Thursday night with the Lynx to do battle with the UC Capitals.
Megan Hustwaite is a freelance contributor to WNBL.com.au
Brydens Sydney Uni Flames 71 (Scherf 19, Schwagmeyer-Belger 19, Burton 10)
Perth Lynx 68 (Ebzery 24, Sharp 11, Ciabattoni 9)