Post Game Report November 7 v Geelong United
The Jayco Southside Flyers traveled across the West Gate Thursday evening to face Geelong United in their first game of Round 2 of the 2024/25 Cygnett WNBL season. The Flyers were looking to record their first win, but they fell agonisingly short in the final seconds to lose 87-90.
The game’s opening minutes saw both the Flyers and United lead by no more than three points at any one time. Flyers import, Mikayla Vaughn found herself in foul trouble early and was subbed out after 90 seconds of play. Alice Kunek picked up where she left off last game, adding 7 points to her tally in the first quarter. Bec Cole returned to form to help keep the Flyers in touch with United, whilst Naz Hillmon started the game strongly on the scoreboard too. With three minutes to play in the first, United began to extend their lead, to lead 30-24 at the end of the first.
Flyers trio – Kunek, Cole & Hillmon came to play in the second quarter all contributing healthily to the scoreline. Hillmon looked to be having a breakout game to hit 13 points of her own, whilst Cole converted from beyond the arc late in the quarter to bring the Flyers within one point of United. It was basket-for-basket from that point onwards, with the Flyers narrowing United’s lead to three points to end the half.
The lead changed hands eight times in the third quarter in what was shaping up to be an exciting last half of basketball at Geelong Arena. Hillmon, Cole & Kunek continued to be vital cogs in the Flyers’ offense, and bought the Flyers to within a point to end the third.
Keely Froling extended United’s lead out to three points to begin the fourth with a drive to the basket however, Kunek & Cole converted at the free throw line to bring the game back to a tie. Kunek converted two crucial shots from downtown to keep the Flyers in touch with United as they began to extend their lead in the game. Hillmon headed to the line with three minutes to play and converted, to help the Flyers to trail by only a single point. The defensive pressure of both teams was incredibly tight as it wasn’t until there were 24 seconds to play when Tayah Burrows made a reverse lay-up to put the Flyers in front. The Flyers were unable to stop United from scoring in the crucial final seconds as they recorded a three-point loss to the home team.
Southside Flyers Stat Leaders:
Naz Hillmon: 27 pts, 10 reb, 2 ast
Alice Kunek: 25 pts, 5 reb, 3 ast
Bec Cole: 20 pts, 9 ast, 5 reb
The Southside Flyers return home to the State Basketball Centre on Saturday night (9th November) in their home opener against the Sydney Flames. The Flyers will unveil their 2023/24 WNBL Championship banner and it is not to be missed. Tip-off is 5 pm tickets are selling fast! You can purchase your tickets here.