Southern Design Sydney Uni Flames met with mix fortune on their road trip to Canberra at the weekend, suffering a shock loss to the Canberra Capitals on Friday night before redeeming themselves with a win over AIS on Saturday.
The results saw the Flames slip to third behind Adelaide and Bulleen on the National Women’s Basketball League ladder after 15 games.
Eighth-placed Canberra kept their WNBL finals hopes alive recording their seventh win of the season with a 72-66 victory over the Flames at the AIS Arena.
The hosts came from 10 points down at three-quarter time to snatch a dramatic victory, outscoring the Flames opponents 20-4 in the final quarter.
Carly Wilson led the way for the victors with 17 points, Marianna Tolo added 15 points and Nicole Hunt added 13 points, while Michelle Cosier (11 points, 14 rebounds) and Brigitte Ardossi (12 points, 10 rebounds) each recorded double-doubles.
Alicia Poto top-scored for the Flames with 16 points, with Amy Denson contributing 11 points and Lauren King pulling down 10 rebounds.
The scores were tight during the first half before the Flames took over in the third quarter. Down by as many as 16 points in the third term, Canberra hit back and finally took the lead on a Marianna Tolo field goal with two minutes remaining in the game.
The Flames rebounded from Friday night’s shock loss by securing a 62-53 win over the AIS at the AIS Training Hall on Saturday night.
The Flames withheld a final quarter fightback from the young AIS side, who reduced their 14-point three-quarter time deficit to just five points with four minutes remaining.
Belinda Snell top-scored for the Flames with 19 points, to go along with four steals, while Amy Denson added a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds.
Carley Mijovic led the way for the hosts with13 points, while centre Olivia Thompson added 11 points, to go along with eight rebounds.
With seven games to play before the finals series begin on February 22, the Flames need to consolidate their position on the ladder to push for home semi-finals.
They can start this Friday night when they host Bulleen at the Sydney Uni Sports & Aquatic Centre (7pm tip-off).
Round 14 sees the Flames on the road north with a game against Townsville at Townsville RSL Stadium on Friday, January 20 (7.30pm) and a Sunday afternoon match against Logan at Logan Metro (2pm).
The Flames will host Canberra on Thursday January 26 (6pm) and Dandenong on Friday, February 3 (7pm) before travelling south for a Round 17 match against Bendigo at Bendigo Stadium on Saturday, February 11 (7.30pm).
They round off the season by hosting West Coast in a Round 18 clash on Friday, February 17 (7pm).
Scoreboard
Canberra Capitals 72 (Carly Wilson 17, Marianna Tolo 15, Nicole Hunt 13) defeated Sydney Uni Flames 66 (Alicia Poto 16, Amy Denson 11, Belinda Snell 10).
Sydney Uni Flames 62 (Belinda Snell 19, Amy Denson 18, Katie-Rae Ebzery 11) defeated AIS 53 (Carley Mijovic 13, Olivia Thompson 11, Casey Samuels 10).
