Post-Game Report December 1 V Perth Lynx
The Jayco Southside Flyers celebrated their annual Lifeline Round on Sunday afternoon where they raised awareness for mental health. They wanted to bounce back from their close loss against the Bendigo Spirit in Round 4 and suited up against a red-hot Perth Lynx who had won their last 4 games. The Flyers were without consistent performers Carley Ernst (back injury) and Alice Kunek (calf soreness) which proved to be the difference as they suffered their fourth loss for the season, 82-89.
Maddy Rocci returned to the starting 5 after recovering from a hip injury which kept her sidelined against the Spirit. She commanded the floor in the first term as she and Naz Hillmon combined for 14 points which saw the Flyers trail by 2 points at the break.
It was a tight second quarter, with both teams matching every basket made. Flyers captain Bec Cole led the charge in the scoring, converting 6-points in a matter of minutes mid-way through the term. Tera Reed made her first points in blue on a step back three which was the start of a 7-0 run, giving the Flyers a 5-point lead with 4 minutes to play. The momentum shifted from there as the Lynx went on their own 17-0 run to lead, 51-40 at the half.
The third term belonged to Cole and Hillmon who were instrumental on the offensive end for the Flyers and notched back to the Lynx’s lead to 4-points heading into the last.
The Lynx extended their lead to 9 points early in the fourth after quick baskets from Mackenzie Clinch Hoycard and Ally Wilson. Rocci, Reed, and Dallas Loughridge all combined to bring the Flyers back within 3 points with 5 minutes to play out in the game. The Lynx kept pushing their lead out at any opportunity and the Flyers weren’t able to match it, recording their second loss in a row.
Southside Flyers Stat Leaders:
Bec Cole: 22 pts, 7 reb, 3 ast
Naz Hillmon: 20 pts, 13 reb, 5 stl, 5 ast
Maddy Rocci: 19 pts, 4 reb, 3 stl
The Jayco Southside Flyers take on the UC Capitals on Wednesday 4 December at AIS Arena and you can catch all the action from 7 pm on ESPN. The Flyers then return home to play the Adelaide Lightning on Friday 6 December at the State Basketball Centre. Tip-off is at 7 pm and tickets are selling fast! You can purchase your tickets here.