Fire down Lynx at Burdekin Blitz
A Mia Murray masterclass from the three-point line has guided the JCU Townsville Fire to victory over Perth in the opening game of the Wilmar Sugar Burdekin Blitz.
Murray’s hot hand from distance – including the match-winner with 10.2 seconds remaining – proved the difference between the two sides as she top-scored with 18 points (6/8).
The 2014/15 Rachael Sporn Medallist went into the half-time break shooting a perfect 4/4 from distance and then struck another dagger shortly into the second half.
Her most important shot would be her last, however, as she found room on the wing with the Fire trailing by two and effortlessly stroked the match winner.
Ice in her veins! Mia Murray knocks down her sixth triple 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥to hand the Fire an 83-82 lead with 10.2 seconds left! #BurdekinBlitz pic.twitter.com/5OMXjOhNQa
— Townsville Fire (@TownsvilleFire) September 22, 2017
Perth scoring machine Sami Whitcomb then had time to reclaim the lead but her shot rimmed out to hand the hosts game one at the Den.
While Murray was the hero, there was a lot to like about the Fire with Darcee Garbin (17 points and 10 rebounds) grabbing a double-double and Zitina Aokuso (15 points and eight rebounds) flirting with one of her own.
In her first game in a Fire singlet, Mikhaela Donnelly finished with 10 points and three rebounds.
Despite the absence of Suzy Batkovic (returns tonight) and Cayla George, the Fire still looked dominant in the paint, with Garbin showing the form that led her to a gold medal at the World Uni Games last month.
“For a pre-season game, I liked the way we executed,” Fire coach Brassard said.
“We finished with 17 assists, and four players in double figures, so that’s a positive sign.
“I thought our younger girls held their own, so that’s a positive too.”
A new half but the same result. Mia Murray knocks down her fifth triple 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥of the evening! #BurdekinBlitz pic.twitter.com/dkTwnqjeQY
— Townsville Fire (@TownsvilleFire) September 22, 2017
While Aokuso was the standout, Miela Goodchild also looked right at home with seven points and two rebounds in 11 minutes including a timely three-point bomb.
For the Lynx, Alice Kunek (23 points and seven rebounds), Toni Farnsworth (16 points and eight rebounds) and Kayla Standish (14 points and five rebounds) were among their best.
The Burdekin Blitz concludes tonight when the Fire host the Lynx in game two of the series from 7pm.
Click here to see full box scores from the Wilmar Sugar Burdekin Blitz.