Lynx blow away Flyers to open season
The Perth Lynx played some blistering second and third quarter basketball to outscore the Southside Flyers 55 points to 30 in that time on the way to the WNBL season-opening 94-79 victory at Bendat Basketball Centre.
It was a Grand Final rematch from last season to open the 2024/25 campaign but there has been significant changes on both sides from that match up earlier in the year.
In the end, the Lynx turned on the afterburners to lead the game by as much as 31 points on the way to the 15-point home win with Olympians Anneli Maley and Ally Wilson especially outstanding in the absence of Amy Atwell.
Where the game was won
It was a high-scoring opening from both teams combining for 58 points in the first quarter with the Lynx leading by four at quarter-time, but the home team was able to blow the game open throughout the second frame.
The Lynx outscored the Flyers 26 points to 18 in the second quarter and by half-time were leading 57-45 on the back of shooting 64 per cent from the floor with 8/15 three-point shooting up against a Flyers team shooting at just 40 per cent and making 3/12 from deep.
Then in the third quarter the Lynx put the result beyond all doubt starting with a 14-4 run before then going on 8-0 and 7-0 runs to close the term to outscore the Flyers 29 points to 12 which led to an eventual 31-point lead, and finally the 15-point victory.
Who the standout performers were
Ally Wilson was playing her first game with the Lynx and she was outstanding finishing the evening with 17 points and eight assists on 7/11 shooting from the floor.
Co-captain Anneli Maley started the new season in exciting fashion too with 22 points and 12 rebounds on 9/14 shooting from the field and 3/5 from behind the three-point arc.
The recently married Miela Sowah (nee Goodchild) put up 16 points as well while Alex Ciabattoni provided 12 points, four rebounds and four assists, Steph Gorman eight points and three steals, Laeticia Amihere six points and three rebounds, Mackenzie Clinch Hoycard eight points, 10 boards and five assists, and Teige Morrell five points and four rebounds.
Alice Kunek top-scored for the Flyers with 22 points to go with 11 rebounds while Maddy Rocci added 12 points and eight assists, Carley Ernst 12 points and seven assists, and Naz Hillmon 11 points and six rebounds.
How the game panned out
The Lynx opened up the new season with early three balls to Miela Sowah and Anneli Maley, but it was the Flyers who had the better of proceedings in the opening minutes as they went out to a 12-6 advantage.
In response to that, the Lynx scored the next seven points including a three-pointer to Ally Wilson before Steph Gorman also hit from downtown and then Wilson converted a three-point play.
Teige Morrell also closed out the first quarter with an and-one play for the Lynx to be leading 31-27 at quarter-time before Alex Ciabattoni opened up the second frame with a three ball.
Wilson and Maley soon combined to push the lead out to double-figures and then the Lynx closed the half with a 7-0 run with four of those points from Wilson who had 17 points at the half.
Sowah also made another three-pointer as part of that run with the Lynx leading 57-45 at the break before Maley and Mackenzie Clinch Hoycard connected from deep to start the second half.
That blew the lead out to 18 points and then another eight consecutive points saw the Lynx’s advantage grow to 28 points, and it was 29 by three quarter-time thanks to the final seven points including a three-point play from Clinch Hoycard.
The Lynx lead was 31 early in the fourth quarter as well after Gorman landed her second three ball and even though the Flyers outscored them 19 points to three the rest of the way, the home team still scored the impressive 15-point victory.
What’s next for the Lynx
The Lynx remain at home to take on the Townsville Fire now on Wednesday night back at Bendat Basketball Centre.
From there, Perth hits the road for the first time this WNBL season up against the Adelaide Lightning next Saturday ahead of facing the UC Capitals in Canberra on Thursday November 14.
CYGNETT WNBL SEASON 2024/25
PERTH LYNX 94 (Maley 22, Wilson 17, Sowah 16)
SOUTHSIDE FLYERS 79 (Kunek 22, Rocci 12, Ernst 12)