Lightning beat Lynx on 25-7 start, finish

The Perth Lynx took more shots, more free throws and tied scores up to have the momentum early in the fourth quarter, but the Adelaide Lightning started and finished on fire to end up winning 87-69.
The Lightning put in a blistering 25-7 start to the game and then finished with 25-7 again and in the end scored the 18-point win at the Adelaide 36ers Arena to leave the Lynx vulnerable in second position as a result with two games to go.
Where the game was won
Adelaide made a scorching start to the game racing out to a 25-7 lead during the first quarter before still managing to lead 46-39 going into the half-time break.
The Lynx shot just 30 per cent from the field for the half while the Lightning went at 51, but they stayed in touch thanks to 12 offensive rebounds and 10 points off the seven Adelaide turnovers.
Perth then had the last three points of the third quarter and the first five of the fourth and suddenly it was a tied ball game with eight minutes remaining and it was the Lynx with the momentum.
However, Adelaide took charge the rest of the including going on a 14-0 scoring run and the Lightning ended up outscoring the Lightning 25 points to seven the rest of the way for the 18-point win.
The 69 points is the second lowest tally of the Lynx for the season while shooting just 24/82 at 29 per cent from the field, 11/39 at 28 per cent from long-range and of most concern, 10/23 at 43 per cent at the foul line.
That was despite the Lynx having 55 rebounds for the game with 24 of those at the offensive end while attempting seven extra field goals and nine more free throws.
Who the standout performers were
It wasn’t the final eight minutes of the game the Lynx were hoping for but Amy Atwell still finished with 18 points, four rebounds and three assists with the co-captain knocking down three triples for the game.
Miela Sowah also ended up with 12 points, seven rebounds and two assists with Laeticia Amihere contributing 11 points, seven boards and six steals, and Anneli Maley 11 points and 14 rebounds.
Ally Wilson provided another eight points, seven assists and four rebounds, Alex Ciabattoni five points, four boards and two assists, and Mackenzie Clinch Hoycard four points and four rebounds.
It was likely Adelaide’s best performance of the season with Steph Talbot delivering 21 points and nine rebounds with Issie Bourne adding 21 points and five boards, Japreece Dean 16 points and five assists, and Brooke Basham 10 points and four rebounds.
How the game panned out
The Lynx had won 10 straight against Adelaide and just needed to keep winning to maintain second position, but the Lightning were also playing to keep their finals hopes alive and started well racing out to a 12-4 lead following three-pointers from Japreece Dean and Issie Bourne.
Perth did get one back thanks to Miela Sowah, but Adelaide then went on a 13-0 scoring run capped off by a triple from Brooke Basham and suddenly the lead for the home team was out to 25-7.
The Lynx did hit back with eight straight points of their including long balls from Alex Ciabattoni and Amy Atwell but it was the Lightning still leading 28-15 by quarter-time.
Perth started the second quarter better with early threes to Sowah and Anneli Maley to bring back to a nine-point ball game, and soon after it was back to just three when Maley landed another from downtown.
Adelaide pulled away again, though, and went into half-time leading 46-39 on the back of shooting 51 per cent from the field to the 30 from the Lynx.
Adelaide maintained that lead for most of the third quarter until the Lynx finished strongly with a 7-2 run capped off with Amy Atwell scoring just before the buzzer and that cut the Lightning lead to 62-58.
Perth kept the momentum going to score the first five points of the fourth frame including a triple from Atwell and the scores were all level at 62-62 with eight minutes to play.
The Lynx couldn’t keep the momentum going, though, with Adelaide finishing the game outscoring them 25 points to seven for the final eight minutes to end up scoring the 18-point victory.
What’s next for the Lynx
The Lynx now have two games of the regular season remaining beginning with a last home game on Friday night back at Bendat Basketball Centre against Geelong United.
It’s then a trip to Far North Queensland against the Townsville Frie on Sunday February 16 in a match up that could very well now decide second position.
CYGNETT WNBL SEASON 2024/25
PERTH LYNX 69 (Atwell 18, Sowah 12, Amihere 11, Maley 11)
ADELAIDE LIGHTNING 87 (Bourne 21, Talbot 21, Dean 16)