FLYERS POINTING IN RIGHT DIRECTION AFTER A BIG WIN
The Flyers have bounced back to the winners list with a resounding 91-70 victory over the Perth Lynx at the State Basketball Centre on Wednesday evening.
After three games on the road, the Flyers returned home in what was an important game for both teams, with the battle for a finals spot very tight following recent results around the league.
Lauren Jackson opened the game scoring after a minute and half of play after grabbing an offensive rebound. A Leilani Mitchell layup, two successful free throws from Bec Cole and a Mercedes Russell two point gave the Flyers a great start, leading 8-0 after three minutes of play.
The Lynx found their range and the scoring dried up a little for the Flyers and with four minutes remaining in the quarter, the Lynx had levelled the scores at 14 all. The Flyers were outscored 5- 11 in the final minutes of the quarter to go into the first break tailing by six points (19-25).
While Nyadiew Puoch opened the scoring in the second period, it was Leilani Mitchell who turned the game around. Trailing by six at the 8:21 mark, Mitchell had the ‘hot hand’ and a minute of play, dropped three, three pointers to put the Flyers up 30-29.
At the half-time break the Flyers had extended the lead to 11-points. Mitchell added 12-points for the quarter (dropping another 3 a minute after hitting three in a minute), Bec Cole had 12 points and Mercedes Russell 11. Maddy Rocci had five steals in the first half to go with her six assists.
The Flyers continued to extend the lead after the half time with even contributions from the team, leading by 14 (67-53) at the three quarter time break. In positive signs for the team, the Flyers continued to work in the final quarter, maintaining a double digit lead before extending this to beyond 20 late in the game. The final margin being 21-points (91-70).
Leilani Mitchell led the scoring with 22 points, Bec Cole has 21 with 7 assists, Mercedes Russell also had 21 points, and ten rebounds. Maddy Rocci had 13 points to go with 9 steals and 9 assists (just a steal and an assist from a triple double). Lauren Jackson had ten rebounds in another strong display for joining the Opals for the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Brazil.
The stats helped tell the story with the Flyers winning the rebound count 44-41, dishing off 25 assists to the Lynx 11, having 25 steals to 11 and limiting turnovers 10 to the Lynx 18. The Flyers shot at 44.3% (Lynx 37.5) and importantly made 100% of their shots from the free throw line.
An old basketball saying, “You Gotta Get Your Free Throws” was adhered to by the Flyers on Wednesday night.
The Cygnett WNBL has a short break for the Opals Olympic Qualifying Tournament and the Flyers next game will be in Sydney, against the Flames on Sunday February 18.
Pics from the game
