The Flames are currently sitting in equal first place on the WNBL ladder after defeating Townsville Fire 73-70 on Sunday 8 November in their second win for the week.
After taking out the UC Capitals 68-45 on Friday 6 November, the team backed up brilliantly at Townsville RSL Stadium to record their fifth win of the season.
Trailing by 5 points at the main change, the Flames fired back to snatch the lead in the close contest.
#30 Carolyn Swords (14 points and 11 rebounds) and #10 Katie-Rae Ezbery (24 points, five rebounds and three assists) proved hard to contain, while #4 Tahlia Tupaea (14 points) gave the pair great support and regularly found herself in the paint.
From here, the Fire played catch up. #8 Suzy Batkovic racked up 25 points but the Flames held strong in the third term, keeping their poise in the last quarter to earn a memorable win.
“That’s probably the first time I’ve won a game in Townsville and I’ve played 10 seasons so it’s definitely a tough place to play,” Ebzery told Townsville Bulletin.
“To get a win over a quality side like Townsville in our second game for the weekend is obviously a really big positive for us and it’s a step in the right direction.”
Townsville Coach Chris Lucas was clearly disappointed after coming up short in the nail-biter.
“What happened last year is irrelevant. The things we could have controlled this afternoon, we didn’t.”
The girls now have just under a week to prepare for Friday’s home game against Adelaide Lightning at 7:00pm.
This Friday’s game will host our Annual Association Round where wearing your Association gear puts you in the running to win a free clinic for your basketball club!
Be sure to grab your tickets at the door or online here.
