Flames lose Indigenous Round fixture to Boomers
The Sydney Flames have lost their annual WNBL Indigenous Round fixture to the Melbourne Boomers 87-57 at Quaycentre on Sunday, February 19.
Match summary
The two sides traded baskets early before the Boomers went on a 12-4 run behind baskets by Cayla George and Kristy Wallace. The Flames fought hard and managed to close within five before the visitors led 21-13 at the first change.
Crafty scores by Vanessa Panouis, Tiana Mangakahia and Kiera Rowe kept the Flames within striking distance early in the second but Melbourne then rattled off 10 of the next 12 points, to lead 37-22 midway through the period. Despite a late charge by the hosts, the Boomers led the Indigenous Round fixture by 12 (42-30) at half-time.
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Five quick points by Opals squad member Mangakahia closed the margin to single digits. Despite buckets from skipper Keely Froling and Jocelyn Willoughby, the Flames couldn’t close the gap further, as the Boomers went into three-quarter-time up by 10 (58-48).
The fourth belonged to the visitors, who opened the term on a 15-7 run, seeing their lead balloon to 73-55 midway through the period. The reigning champions pushed on from there, ending the round 14 fixture on a 9-0 run, to seal the 30-point win.
HIGHLIGHTS | Flames v Boomers
A few bits of our game against the Melbourne Boomers#FlameOn pic.twitter.com/39g8tQoKYe
— Sydney Flames (@TheSydneyFlames) February 19, 2023
Where the match was decided
Melbourne won the fixture on the back of statistical categorical wins in field goal percentage (47 per cent to 32), assists (18-12), steals (15-5), blocks (6-1), points in the paint (34-26), points off turnovers (21-14), bench points (19-14) and fast break points (17-4) as well as forcing the Flames to have 22 turnovers compared to just 11 by their team.
Key moment
The Flames fell away in the fourth quarter, losing the 10-minute period 29-9 to end any chances of a comeback in the round 14 showdown.
Player of the game
Skipper Froling produced a double-double of 15 points and 16 rebounds, as well as one steal, in the defeat.
Other Flames to score in double figures were Mangakahia (13) and Willoughby (10).
What’s next
The Flames, who now drop to 5-13 on the season, will stay in Sydney ahead of their final home game of WNBL23 on Friday when they’ll host Adelaide in the inaugural Pink Round fixture at Quaycentre.
The round 15 match, which will see the Hoops Capital club partner with the McGrath Foundation, will help raise funds for breast cancer research.