Blistering third quarter sets up big Lynx win

A monstrous 39-10 third quarter ensured that the Perth Lynx maintained their hold on second spot in the WNBL with the eventual 105-83 road victory against the Sydney Flames on Saturday.
The Lynx did lose on their last visit against the Flames at the Quaycentre and do need to keep winning in the run home to maintain a top two position, but it wasn’t until the third quarter that they broke free of Sydney.
Perth delivered a remarkable scoring spree in that third period to set up the 22-point win that improves them to a 14-4 record with just three games of the regular season remaining.
Where the game was won
With plenty at stake for both teams, it was a tight contest for a lot of the first half with the Lynx leading 28-24 by quarter-time despite only shooting 45 per cent opposed to the 56 to Sydney, but they did hit 5 triples to three.
The Lynx came from seven points down to finish the first half with a 20-8 to be leading 52-47 at half-time but again they were just shooting 39 per cent to 57 although had three extra three-point makes and attempted seven more free throws.
It was then a blistering third quarter with 39 points to 10 from the Lynx where they blew the game open which saw the lead blow out to as much as 39 points on the way to the eventual 22-point victory.
Who the standout performers were
Miela Sowah knocked down 5/8 from three-point territory on the way to top-scoring for the Lynx with 23 points to go with two rebounds and making 6/6 at the free-throw line.
Laeticia Amihere was a strong presence inside for 20 points, eight rebounds and four steals on 7/12 shooting along with 6/8 from the foul line.
Ally Wilson produced another 17 points, five assists, five steals and four rebounds with Steph Gorman making 4/6 from downtown for 14 points along with six boards and two assists.
Anneli Maley provided 11 points, eight rebounds and four assists, Alex Ciabattoni seven points, three boards and three assists, Mackenzie Clinch Hoycard seven points and four steals, Amy Atwell four points and four assists, and Kiara Waite two points and three rebounds.
Celeste Taylor finished with 18 points for the Flames while Cayla George contributed 17, Carla Pitman 14 and Isabella Brancatisano 14.
How the game panned out
Looking to make up for a loss in the same building on their last visit to the Flames, the Lynx started well to be leading 9-4 when Miela Sowah connected on a three-pointer.
Ally Wilson soon completed a three-point play to make it 12-6 and then Anneli Maley and Mackenzie Clinch Hoycard both hit three balls to keep the Lynx leading.
Triples just before quarter-time to Sowah and Alex Ciabattoni saw that lead still six but it was just four at quarter-time with the Lynx shooting just 45 per cent despite making five three-pointers to two.
Sydney started the second period well to go on a 15-4 run to open up their own seven-point lead, but the Lynx responded strongly with the next seven points including a three ball from Steph Gorman.
Maley then also landed her second triple of the game and then the Lynx went on another 10-0 run to open up an eight-point lead, and to still be leading 52-47 going into the half-time break while still only shooting 39 per cent as a team.
It was then a blistering start to the second half from Perth starting with Sowah hitting a pair of shots from behind the three-point line.
The Lynx would go on four massive runs during the quarter with Sowah’s three starting that first 9-0 one before Laeticia Amihere scored all eight points of another, Gorman made a three as part of a 9-0 run, and then they scored the last eight points going into three quarter-time including a Mackenzie Clinch Hoycard three.
Perth put up 39 points to 10 for the quarter to be leading by 34 at three quarter-time with that lead out to 39 with five quick points to start the fourth from Gorman, and from there Lynx romped to the 22-point victory.
What’s next for the Lynx
The Lynx have three games now remaining of the regular season and all they need to do is keep on winning and they will remain in second position, and potentially even grab first if the Bendigo Spirit have a couple of slip ups.
First up is on the road next Saturday against the Adelaide Lightning before the final home game of the regular season on Friday February 7 against Geelong United, and then a potentially semi-final preview on the road to the Townsville Fire to wrap things up.
CYGNETT WNBL SEASON 2024/25
PERTH LYNX 105 (Sowah 23, Amihere 20, Wilson 17)
SYDNEY FLAMES 83 (Taylor 18, George 17, Brancatisano 14, Pitman 14)