The Southern Design Sydney Uni Flames are looking forward to Saturday night’s home WNBL State of Origin re-match after a heart breaking one point loss last week at the hands of the Logan Thunder in Queensland.
The Flames will be confident of victory provided they start better than they managed last Sunday against the Thunder – after trailing by 11 points at half-time the Flames hit the lead in the final minutes only to be edged out by WNBA player Lauren Koehn, who has hurt the Flames in the last two match-ups.
Koehn’s 3-point shooting has been lethal on both occasions, and Flames guards Alicia Poto and Katie-Rae Ebzery will be on full alert when Koehn has the ball in her hands.
Koehn certainly isn’t the Thunder’s only offensive weapon. Natalie Taylor played a major part in Sunday’s victory thanks to some big plays down the stretch. Rohanee Cox and Lauren King will be given the job of shutting her down.
While Koehn and Taylor will need to be watched, Flames Coach Karen Dalton was adamant that her team needed to improve their defence all over the court in time for Saturday night’s home re-match.
“We are looking for improved defence this Saturday night after a really inconsistent defensive performance last weekend,” said Dalton.
“It is also very important that the girls are consistent in all facets of the game throughout all four quarters.”
In offence April Sykes has been a scoring machine for Sydney Uni, scoring 26 points in consecutive games against the Fire and the Thunder last weekend. Sykes mixed up her inside and outside game on the weekend and was difficult to guard. She is the key to a Flames victory as she provides much needed offensive power.
Rohanee Cox had a solid weekend (scoring 22 points and seven rebounds against the Fire) and is improving weekly, while The Flames will once again look to Alicia Poto to provide much needed leadership and defence.
Come out and support the Flames in their third State of Origin match against the Logan Thunder on Saturday night at the Sydney Uni Sports & Aquatic Centre (SUSAC).
Tickets are on sale from 6pm on the night and tipoff is at 7pm.
You can also support the Flames on Twitter @SydUniFlames or Facebook Sydney Uni Flames WNBL.
