Clinical Lynx clinch first place
The Perth Lynx have secured first position on the WNBL ladder, and home court advantage throughout the finals, with a decisive victory over the Melbourne Boomers, 84-66.
In familiar fashion, the Lynx found themselves trailing early but, after falling behind by eight points in the second quarter, it was all Perth, as the hosts ran away with the result in front of a bumper crowd.
“It’s a job done,” said Lynx head coach Andy Stewart, after his side’s fourteenth consecutive win.
“We wanted to win every series, we would have loved to finish on top, so there’s certainly boxes ticked.”
“We don’t want to stop – I don’t talk about them as huge achievements.”
“The records will mean nothing, and finishing on top will mean nothing, if we don’t finish this off with a championship.”
Courtney Williams (19 points, seven assists) caught fire in the second quarter, silencing the Melbourne bench with a run of 14 points and a pair of dimes, while Sami Whitcomb (17 points, six rebounds) drilled three triples in the third term to break the game open.
Amanda Dowe was terrific throughout the contest, shooting 100 per cent on the day to finish with nine points, while Tahlia Fejo and Mikayla Pirini impressed in their extended minutes down the stretch.
“I haven’t seen a team enjoy the success of everybody like this group does.”
“I love this group with regard to the fact that they enjoy the success of whoever subs into the game, I love it.”
With the result, the Lynx secure first position on the ladder, as well as a post-season date with the Boomers, who locked up fourth place today thanks to other results around the league.
The Perth Lynx now face two road trips in a week, travelling to face the UC Capitals and Townsville Fire, before beginning their WNBL Finals campaign.
Perth Lynx 84 – (Williams 19, Whitcomb 17, Kunek 12)
Melbourne Boomers 66 – (O’Hea 15, Grant 11, Garrick 10)