Focus turns to Finals for the Flyers
A disappointing final game of the regular season for the Flyers with a 14-point loss to the Adelaide Lightning at the Melbourne Sports Centres Parkville on Saturday afternoon.
The Flyers were guaranteed a top two finish, no matter the result, while the Lightning were keen to finish their season on a high after winning three in a row coming into the game for seven wins for the season.
A tight opening half saw the visitors leading at the end of the first period by four, 13-17, and extend this to seven midway through the second period (18-15), before the Flyers finished the half well to go into half time with a one point lead, in a low-scoring game (29-28).
The concern for the Flyers at this point was foul trouble, resulting in the Lightning going to the line for free throws. The Flyers picked up 11 fouls for the first half, while the Lightning had been called on just the three occasions in the half. This resulted in the Lightning taking 14 free throw shots to the Flyers four.
The Flyers looked tired after a big road trip to Sydney and Townsville and struggled to hit their shots throughout the game, but full credit to the Lightning, making the most of their opportunities and taking an eight point lead into the final period (41-49). Captain Bec Cole got things going in the final period, but it was too little, too late, and the Lightning had all the answers, taking out the game 74-60.
Bec Cole was the only Flyer to score in double digits, with an equal game high 20-points, bringing up her 3,000th career point in the WNBL, only the 39th player to achive this. The next best was Leilani Mitchell with nine and Mercedes Russell with eight and a game high 14 rebounds.
The Flyers now sit and wait to see, not only where they finish the season – top or second, but also who and where they play the best of three semi-finals. Either way the Flyers will have a home game at Parkville this week.
To finish on top Sydney Flames will need to defeat the Fire in Townsville on Sunday. If that happens the Flyers will play the Sydney Flames on Thursday February 29 at 7:00pm.
If Townsville defeat Sydney on Sunday, the Flyers will finish in second spot and will play the Melbourne Boomers on Wednesday February 28 at 7:00pm.
Tickets for the first final, a Flyers home game, will be on sale on Monday.