Flyers Celebrate with a win in game 250 for Bec Cole
Flyers too good for Flames 79-73
The Flyers returned to the winners list to celebrate Bec Cole’s 250th game with a strong win over the Sydney Flames on Friday night at the State Basketball Centre.
The victory cements the Flyers in fourth position on the Cygnett WNBL ladder with a further seven games remaining in the regular season, including the special holiday game at MSAC on Wednesday, starting at 3pm. Tickets start at just $5 – BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE
It was a tough match with ten lead changes and scores tied on eight occasions during the game and the biggest lead for either side was just 8-points. It was the Flyers with a team performance, led by a game high 28-points from Lauren Jackson, that got on top to complete the victory.
While Jackson dominated the scoreboard, it was an overall team performance that got the win for the home team. Such as Mercedes Russell who had another great team game, adding 12-points and seven rebounds, playing a great defensive game and creating opportunities for teammates to score.
After leading 22-17 at the end of the first quarter, the Flyers went into the half-time trailing by 4-points with the Flames outscoring the Flyers 21-12 during the second period. Turnovers (10) and poor foul shooting, 5 from 12 at just 41.7% were certainly not helping the Flyers on the scoreboard. Thankfully this changed in the second half with the free throw percentage improving to 66.7% and only three turnovers for the second half, while the Flames added nine.
Seven quick points to Jackson to start the third period put the Flyers in front (41–38), before the Flames steadied and with six minutes remaining had opened their biggest lead of the game (45-53). A Jasmine Dickey pullup jump shot late in the period meant the Flyers had outscored the Sydney team 16 to 5 in the final minutes of the period, going into the final quarters with a 59-58 lead.
The Flames managed to level scores early and then again with 8:30 to go (62–62), and while the Flyers maintained a small lead, it wasn’t until the last five minutes when a Bec Cole three extended the Flyers lead to six that had the crowd on their feet.
It was fitting the final score of the game was a Bec Cole pull-up jumper in the final minute and then, after a Russell steal, as the game ended it was Bec Cole with the ball at centre court on the Jayco logo.
Double figure scores to Jackson 28, Mitchell 13 and Russell 12, while Cole added 9 and Jasmine Dickey 8 to go with her game high 8-rebounds.
Next up is Bendigo Spirit at MSAC on Wednesday January 17 in the Flyers special holiday game at 3pm. A great opportunity for children and families to enjoy WNBL during the afternoon in the middle of the school holidays. Tickets from $5 BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE
