Flames celebrate George’s milestone with win over Lynx
The Sydney Flames made it two wins on the trot and celebrated Cayla George’s milestone by defeating the Perth Lynx 86-75 on Saturday night at Quaycentre.
Match summary
The Perth Lynx started the stronger of the two sides, seeing them hold a narrow margin early on. But continued scores by Cayla George and Carla Pitman saw the Flames hit back and hold a 23-16 lead towards the end of the term. By the end of the period, the visitors had closed it to a three-point game (23-20).
PURCHASE YOUR FLAMES QUAYCENTRE TICKETS HERE
Scores by Shaneice Swain and Celeste Taylor early in the second quarter helped Sydney move back out by 10. Efforts by Emma Clarke kept the scoreboard ticking over before George broke the 5000-point barrier and became just the fourth person in WNBL history to do so. That powered the Hoops Capital side to a 46-41 lead at the main break.
OUR HISTORY MAKER 🔥#BringTheHeat @CaylaGeorge22 pic.twitter.com/IzmQLz2UQG
— Sydney Flames (@TheSydneyFlames) December 7, 2024
Flame #216 George was doing it on both ends in the early going of the third, as the two rivals traded baskets. Efforts from Perth’s Amy Atwell levelled the scores at 53-all with just under three to play before Isabella Brancatisano’s tough lay-in restored Sydney’s lead. Buckets by Clarke and Pitman continued Sydney charge, as the hosts led by six at the final change.
George and Anneli Maley exchanged early in the fourth before Swain weaved her magic for a step-back triple, to put Guy Molloy’s side up 71-64. Soon after, Laeticia Amihere fouled out and Brancatisano nailed a three-pointer, as the lead grew to 10. George and Swain then followed suit with triples of their own. In the end, the Flames ran out winners by 11 points.
Where the match was decided
Sydney secured the victory on the back of statistical wins in field goal percentage (39-34), free-throw percentage (83-25), assists (20-14), points in the paint (40-24), points off turnovers (32-13), bench points (23-17) and fast-break points (17-10).
Key moment
The start of the fourth quarter, which George and Swain nailed triples, laid the platform for the Flames’ third win of WNBL25.
Player of the game
In her milestone match, George led the way with 28 points, 14 rebounds, three blocks, one assist and one steal.
She was well supported Swain (20), Pitman (13) and Clarke (13).
What’s next
The Flames, who are now 3-4, now hit the road for two away fixtures against Geelong (December 14) and Townsville (December 18).
The next home fixture for Guy Molloy’s Hoops Capital side is Sunday, December 22 against Adelaide, tipping off at 12.15pm AEDT at Quaycentre.
Tickets to the round eight clash, in which the club will celebrate Christmas, are still available here.