Half a Game not good enough for the Flyers against the Boomers
A second half fade out saw the Flyers drop away to a 67-61 loss.
You would be forgiven for thinking the teams changed uniforms at half time, such was the change in the game between the Flyers and Boomers on Wednesday night. After a tight first quarter which saw the scores level at the end of the first quarter, the Flyers went to work.
A dominant display in the second quarter, with the Flyers outscoring the Boomers 20 to 9, saw the visitors enjoy an 11-point break at the main break, 41-30. While it was a good lead, the Flyers could easily have been much further in the lead but were unable to fully capitalize on their good play. Maybe it was a sign of things to come.
Three minutes into the second half and the Flyers enjoyed a 13-point lead but a missed layup to extend the lead to 15 didn’t drop and the Boomers rallied and three minutes later the home team had a one point lead, 50-49, enjoying a 20 to 8 run. It turned into a struggle with the Boomers holding a three-point lead at the final break, 55-52.
Three minutes into the final quarter and the scores were level, however the Boomers had the answers in the final seven minutes, albeit a low scoring final few minutes. The Boomers won the final quarter 12 -9 to return to the winners list with a 67-61 victory and the Flyers up and down season continued.
For the Flyers it was much more than the struggle to score, it was about execution and decision making. Shooting 32% from the field will always make it difficult to win a game, plus just 60% from the free throw line (12 from 20) did not help. However another 20 turnovers, with the Boomers scoring 18-points from turnovers, which highlighted the poor execution at critical times. Adding to the disappointment for Flyers’ fans, particularly in the second half, the Flyers were outscored 22 to 7 on fast breaks and 34 to 22 in the paint.
The only players in double figures for the Flyers were Mercedes Russell 17 and Nyadiew Puoch 11, with Mercedes bringing down a game-high 12 rebounds.
Leilani – 1,000 career assists in the WNBL
Leilani Mitchell scored nine points and added three assists to take her WNBL assist total to 1001.
Congratulations Leilani who becomes only the ninth player in WNBL history to record 1,000 assists.
One positive is there is very little time to rest with the Flyers back home at the State Basketball Centre on Saturday night, for the first home game of the New Year. The Flyers will play Canberra Capitals with the game starting at 7:00pm.
Be part of the holiday festive fun at the Flyers first home game for 2024.