Courageous Flames lose game one to Spirit

The Sydney Flames have fallen behind 1-0 in their best-of-three-game semi-final series to Bendigo, after losing 76-67 to the  Spirit on Sunday at Red Energy Arena. 

Match summary 

Sami Whitcomb’s free-throws got the game’s scoring underway before Flamws skipper Cayla George responded with a triple. George made a huge start for the visitors, with another early two – following a dime by Isabella Brancatisano – before blocking Kelsey Griffin. When Shaneice Swain landed a triple and a lay-in, Guy Molloy’s side led 10-6, with a George three-point play making it 13-6. But the hists responded through Whitcomb and Marianna Tolo. That sparked a run by Bendigo to a 15-2 run, which forced Molloy to call a time-out when the hosts led by six. That momentum, sprinkled in with suspect refereeing decisions, saw their lead grow to double-digits (27-15) at the first break. 

Captain @CaylaGeorge22 was massive in the first quarter 😤

– 10 points
– 2 rebounds
– 1 triple
– 1 block

Watch via ESPN, 9Now and 9Go!#BringTheHeat @WNBL pic.twitter.com/KOiUOfuOcN

— Sydney Flames (@TheSydneyFlames) February 23, 2025

The second quarter started the same as the first ended, with Bendigo pushing ahead – thanks to a 15-4 start to the period. Making things harder for the Flames was the fact Swain left the court with a knee injury. Buckets from Yemiyah Morris and Tahlia Tupaea helped close the margin for the visitors. A late score by Carla Pitman closed it to 51-28 at half-time. 

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Brancatisano got the Flames going from the free-throw line before Pitman found Tupaea for a corner three. But that mini-run was short-lived for the visitors as Veronica Burton nailed a three. With Swain sidelined, Molloy turned to Caitlyn Martin who made an immediate impact with an and-one. Combine that with two quick shots from downtown by Tupaea and the margin closed even further. The New Zealand international continued to cause issues for the Spirit defence. Late free-throws Brancatisano and Pitman saw the Flames go into the final change down 18 (67-49). 

 

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A Brancatisano triple to start the term shortened the gap ever further. Despite the never-give-up attitude by the Flames, highlighted by a triple by Deas and tough defence by Martin, Bendigo kept a hold of their double-digit lead. A late and-one by Morris and score by McKenna Dale reduced the lead to within single digits. In the end, the Flames went down 76=67 – to carry some momentum into game two on Thursday. 

Where the match was decided 

Bendigo won the match thanks to superior statistics in field goal percentage (40-38), rebounds (45-32), second-chance points (14-3) and fastbreak points (15-6). 

Key moment  

A 24-13 second term (seeing them trail by 23 at half-time) proved too much for the Flames to overcome during game one of the semi-final series. 

Player of the game 

Tupaea (16 points and two steals) and George (14 points and five rebounds) led the way for the Hoops Capital side, while Martin (two points, four rebounds and two assists) was a shining light in the second half. 

What’s next 

The Flames now return home for game two of the best-of-three-game semi-final series against Bendigo. 

That clash will be played on Thursday, February 27 at Quaycentre from 7pm AEDT – with tickets available for purchase here. 

Keep up to date with all the club’s final information here.