Fire clean sweep Burdekin Blitz
The JCU Townsville Fire have claimed a 2-0 series win over Perth at the Wilmar Sugar Burdekin Blitz after registering an 88-76 win in game two.
While little separated the two sides in the opening half – much like the opening game of the series – the Fire made the decisive move in the third quarter as they split the game open with their offensive weaponry.
In total, six Fire players found their way into double figures led by Mia Murray for a successive occasion, who top-scored with 14 points and seven rebounds.
Across the course of the series, Murray was simply brilliant, stroking 10 of her 14 attempts from long-range at a staggering 71.4%.
Murray found allies right across the floor, however, with forwards Darcee Garbin (13 points and seven rebounds), Zitina Aokuso (12 points and six rebounds) and Suzy Batkovic (12 points and four rebounds) all dominant in the paint, while Laurin Mincy (12 points and four assists) and Micaela Cocks (11 points) were able to snipe from the perimeter.
Splash! Another Micaela Cocks triple as she becomes the sixth Fire player into double figures. The Fire lead 86-70! #BurdekinBlitz pic.twitter.com/Cg1geVOUjP
— Townsville Fire (@TownsvilleFire) September 23, 2017
“Pre-season is just about finding where we are at – getting a gauge before our first game – but there were lots of positive signs this weekend,” Fire coach Claudia Brassard said.
“We had 17 assists yesterday and another 20 tonight, we had lots of points on the board in both games…so some really positive signs.
“They’re a very physical team, they play that really up-the-floor, pressure defence and they caused us lots of headaches.
“I thought they did a great of forcing us out of a lot of stuff and they forced a lot of turnovers, so we’re going to have to spend some more time on the floor working on some of those things.”
While Alice Kunek (23 points and seven rebounds) was impressive again, the Fire’s bench outscored the Lynx 34-19 which proved telling in the final result.
The young gun! Majella Carey showing why she is a future Fire player with the knockdown jumper. The Fire lead 88-72! #BurdekinBlitz pic.twitter.com/MylizXtcxo
— Townsville Fire (@TownsvilleFire) September 23, 2017
The Fire will now face the Townsville Academy Heat before their opening game of the WNBL season on October 7 against Melbourne which will be broadcast on October 7.
Click here to see box scores from game two of the Wilmar Sugar Burdekin Blitz.