Following Saturday’s historic home victory at Brydens Stadium, the Brydens Sydney Uni Flames have turned their attention to a third WNBL victory on the bounce when they take on the Melbourne Boomers this Saturday night.
Having tasted their first victory at the new Brydens Stadium in four attempts, Flames star Rohanee Cox was quick to emphasise that the team was pleased with the victory and already focused on doing it all over again at home this weekend.
“It was amazing to get that first win on the home court in front of our home crowd,” said Cox.
“We are pumped this week to play against Melbourne, because we lost to them earlier this season by six points, but we know that we didn’t play very well.”
In that game, back in round one in Melbourne, Opals representative Tess Magden (20 points) and American import Chelsea Poppen (18 points) did most of the damage in securing a hard fought victory over a brave Flames side.
“If we keep them (Poppen and Magden) to minimal scores, then we can pressure their other players to have to score,” explained Cox, who has been in a rich vein of form this season.
The 33 year old, who secured the Round 7 WNBL Player of the Week award for her 19 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 rebounds against Dandenong last Saturday night, was quick to point towards a non-statistical area of her basketball that she is equally proud of.
“My performances have been good, but more importantly I like to try and set a good example for the young girls coming through,” explained Cox.
“I’m not much of a talker on the court, but I like to be a leader by being tough all the time, by being there for the young girls, and by making myself approachable.”
Facing a Boomers team that has lost just once this season in eight games will no doubt be tough, but Cox and her teammates appear to be relishing the opportunity to knock off another WNBL Championship threat at home.
“We’ve improved out of sight since we last played them,” emphasised Cox.
“We are focusing more on our defence now. Defence is obviously a big part of our game, because when we do it well our offence just flows. We’ve been defending well and then getting to our plays and executing well when we have the ball. We had to fine-tune our defence a little bit, but now we are good to go.”
Tip-off for this Saturday’s night’s game against the Melbourne Boomers is at 7pm at Brydens Stadium at the Sydney Uni Sports & Aquatic Centre.
All tickets can be purchased online by clicking here or at the door from 6pm onwards on Saturday night.
Food and drinks will be available at the brand new Katering Courtside Bar.
