Townsville Fire made it back-to-back wins over ACUVUE Sydney Uni Flames with a 62-54 dousing at the Sydney University Sports and Aquatic Centre on Saturday night.
Having accounted for the Flames 97-58 in Townsville a fortnight ago, the Fire showed no regard for home-court advantage on Saturday by finishing too strong and staying in contention for the title.
The Flames will need to regroup quickly to keep their title hopes alive when they take on Bulleen at Broadsmeadow Stadium in Melbourne on Friday night.
With import Lindsey Pluimer leading the charge, Sydney University began well on Saturday and went to the first break leading 21-19.
But the Townsville defence upped the ante in the second term as they edged ahead. A long-range three-pointer from Eva Afeaki kept the Flames in touch, trailing 36-33 at the main break.
Despite getting within a point early in the third term, the hosts couldn’t cope with Townsville, who stretched their lead to eight on the final buzzer.
Townsville Fire 62 (Rohanee Cox 17, Jennifer Crouse 16, Cherie Smith 10) d Sydney Uni Flames 54 (Lindsey Pluimer 16, Eva Afeaki 15, Sally Potocki 11).
