White-hot Lynx torch Fire
A white-hot Perth Lynx line-up has unleashed a three-point onslaught to bury the JCU Townsville Fire at the Bendat Basketball Stadium.
Full of confidence after collecting the first leg of the ‘Doomsday Double’, the Fire’s inability to contain the Lynx on the perimeter – the hosts struck 15/35 triples at 42% – and to look after the ball proved telling as they suffered an 88-98 loss.
The tally was the Lynx’s highest ever total against the Fire after eclipsing their mark of 91 dating back to 2015/16.
While the Fire started strongly – they led by as many as 10 in the opening quarter – the Lynx fought back to level the scores at 28-28 at quarter-time.
A 16-2 run midway through the second quarter burst the game open and when the Lynx started the third quarter strongly, the Fire were on the ropes and looking for answers.
During a frantic start to the match, Tess Madgen (12 points, four rebounds and seven assists) was electric in the opening quarter and received solid support from Mikhaela Donnelly (eight points, two rebounds and three assists) and Laurin Mincy (eight points, six rebounds and four assists).
Ally Mallot’s (nine points and two rebounds) insertion into the game kept the scoreboard ticking over but the Lynx were able to connect on 5/10 attempts from the three-point line.
With six-time WNBL MVP Suzy Batkovic (23 points and six rebounds) well contained, the Lynx burst the game wide open with a long-range blitzkrieg in the second term as they struck 5/5 from beyond the arc.
Imports Brittany McPhee (32 points and seven rebounds) and Asia Taylor (21 points and seven rebounds) were in everything as the Lynx did a good job of playing at their tempo.
The hosts continued to control proceedings in the second half as the Fire looked for answers but came up with few.
A Zitina Aokuso bucket in the shadows of three-quarter-time trimmed the margin to 67-80 entering the final term and gave the Fire a glimmer of hope but they were unable to get on a run.
Batkovic was able to hit the scoreboard late, while Darcee Garbin (11 points and four rebounds) also reached double figures.
The Fire will be desperate to find form against the Sydney Uni Flames next week before a re-match with the Lynx at Townsville Stadium on November 3.
Click here to see full box score between the Fire and the Lynx.