Gutsy Flames cement finals spot by defeating Caps

February 9, 2025 | Sydney Flames news

The Sydney Flames are finals bound after digging deep to defeat the UC Capitals 86-71 at the AIS Arena. 

The triumph, without a host a players including skipper Cayla George, ended the team’s seven-year finals drought and sets up a match-up with minor premiers Bendigo. 

Match summary 

Neither team scored through the first two minutes before Charli Collier collected an offensive rebound for the Caps. The hosts had the first six before Isabella Brancatisano nailed a triple. Aggressive drives by Tahlia Tupaea and Celeste Taylor resulted in more points for the visitors. Despite the hosts pushing the pace, Sydney stayed within striking distance thanks to their free-throws. Yemiyah Morris made an impact in her return match on both ends before Brancatisano nailed another corner three – to make it 17-15. A late Celeste Taylor shot from the stripe made it 17-16 at quarter-time. 

Taylor (two) and Brancatisano nailed triples early in the second, to give the Flames the first lead of the match. When Shaneice Swain joined the three-point party, Guy Molloy’s side led 28-19 (capping 12-2 to start the term). Morris’ dominance in the paint resulted in more scores for the Hoops Capital side, as did Pitman’s corner three. The hosts closed the margin to five after back-to-back threes by Abby Bishop. That sparked UC, who made it a two-point game at half-time, thanks to a Nyadiew Puoch’s late lay-up. 

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Puoch scored again straight after the resumption to tie it up but Swain’s triple restored the lead. A huge charge taken by Brancatisano on Melbourne saw the latter pick up her fourth foul and sub out of the game. A banked jumper and lay-in by Taylor out the Hoops Capital side up by seven. That lead was solidified by scores by Carla Pitman and Brancatisano – who was causing havoc on the defensive end. But two straight and-one scores by Puoch closed the margin to five, which quickly became two when Monique Bobongie landed a shot from downtown. Huge blocks by Morris in the final seconds ensured the harbour city side led by four at the final change. 

Brancatisano scored a quick-fire five to extend Sydney’s advantage, as did a fast-break between Swain and Taylor. Bobongie and Brancaitsano traded triple, before Melbourne fouled out on a drive – with Tupaea taking the charge.  Combine all that and a Pitman three and it was 67-57 with just under seven to play. Further triples by Brancatisano and Taylor made it 74-59 before Bobongie and Indi Bowyer landed triples of their own – seeing it move to 74-65 with 3.59 on the clock. Brancatisano landed her eighth triple soon after before Taylor converted two straight lay-ins, which saw Sydney power with the 15-point victory. 

Where the match was decided 

Sydney secured the win on the back of superior statistics in field goal percentage (42-38), triples (15-8) and rebounds (45-37).

Key moment  

After the score was 61-57 to Sydney, with seven minutes to play, the Flames ended the game on a 25-14 run to seal the win.

Player of the game 

Brancatisano produced the best gasme of her WNBL career, to the tune of 26 points (including 8/12 from downtown), seven rebounds, four steals and one assist. 

Taylor (24 points and eight rebounds) and Swain (14 points, seven boards and seven dimes) were also massive in the win. 

What’s next 

The Flames, who are now 8-11,  now return to Sydney for a Wednesday, February 12 encounter with Townsville at Quaycentre – with tickets still available here. 

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