League-leaders Bendigo prove too strong for Sydney

January 2, 2025 | Sydney Flames news

The Sydney Flames fought hard but proved no match for the competition front-runners Bendigo on Thursday, going down 110-101 at Qudos Bank Arena.

Match summary 

A Celeste Taylor dime set up Yemiyah Morris to open the Flames’ scoring but buckets from Sami Whitcomb, Veronica Burton and Kelsey Griffin saw the visitors race out to an 8-2 lead. Scores from Shaneice Swain and Emma Clarke closed the margin to three. That was shortlived as Abbey Wehrung hit back-to-back triples to extend Bendigo’s advantage. A scoring burst by Taylor and later triple by Clarke made it 31-24 at the first change. 

 

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Tahlia Tupaea’s triple cancelled out Whitcomb’s effort early in the second but a 16-7 run in through the first five minutes of the period saw the visitors’ lead grow to 16. The catalysts of that run were Opals Whitcomb and Marianna Tolo, whose inside/outside punch was hard to deal with for the Hoops Capital side. Triples by Carla Pitman and Taylor closed the deficit This was followed by scores by Taylor and Cayla George making it a 15-point game at half-time. 

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That margin grew in the third, as Bendigo opened on a 12-6 run, despite shots from downtown by George and Deas. Efforts from Wehrung and Veronica Burton ensured Bendigo’s lead remained more than 20. Untimely turnovers by the harbour city side, compounded by the red-hot Whitcomb, saw the score move to 82-53 at the final break. 

Isabella Brandcatisano and Whitcomb traded triples in the first minute of the fourth quarter. Soon after, George converted an and-one, which was quickly followed by five straight points by Taylor. Despite winning the final term 18-10, the Flames lost by 21 points.

Where the match was decided 

The Spirit secured the triumph thanks to superior statistics in field goal percentage (50-44), free-throw percentage (91-66), assists (23-15), steals (11-5), points in the paint (38-28), points off turnovers (26-7) and fastbreak (5-0) – while committing fewer turnovers (19-8).

Key moment  

The Spirit outscored the Flames in the 51-29 second and third quarters to set up the win.

Player of the game 

Taylor top-scored for the Flames with 20 points, to go along with four assists, two rebounds, one steal and one block.

The only other player to reach double-figures for the hosts was George, who tallied 12 points, eight boards and one dime.

What’s next 

The Flames, who are now 5-7, next hit the road for a double-header against Bendigo (January 12) and Geelong (January 17). 

Molloy’s side will then return home for Hoops Capital’s Pink Hoops double-header on Sunday, January 19, where they’ll host Adelaide from 11.45am. 

Tickets to the hoops extravaganza, which will also see the Kings battle Tasmania, are still available here.