Townsville fire up for home fans in Adelaide thrashing
Justin Chadwick |
The Townsville Fire have marked their return home with a blistering second-half display on the way to a crushing 103-69 WNBL win over the Adelaide Lightning.
Townsville entered Saturday night’s match with a dominant 4-1 record despite playing their opening five games on the road.
Their home fans were feeling a tad nervous after Adelaide trimmed back an 11-point deficit late in the second quarter to just four points by half-time, courtesy of a seven-point blitz from Steph Talbot.
But there was no need to worry, with the Fire unleashing a 31-15 romp in the third quarter before going on with the job by outscoring Adelaide 25-11 in the last, for a total of 56-26 in the second half.
The Fire had six players hit double figures.
Courtney Woods scored 19 points to go with six assists, Miela Sowah scored 19 points, Alexandra Fowler notched 17 points, five rebounds and six assists, while Abbey Ellis finished with 14 points.
“It’s so good to be back,” Woods said.
“When they were calling our names out, the whole crowd goes crazy and it gives me goosebumps.
“It’s my sixth year playing here, and it still feels like my first time.
“I think the fans will be happy with a 30-point win.”
For Adelaide, Dallas Loughridge was the standout with 26 points, while Talbot (14 points) and Sania Feagin (14 points) also chipped in.
Townsville (5-1) sit on top of the table, with Adelaide (2-3) dropping to sixth.
“I think we were a bit excited to play in front of our fans,” Sowah said.
“It really just came to defence and locking down. We had a good chat at half time, and we did a good job in the second half.”
A seven-point blitz from Talbot in the dying minutes of the second quarter meant the scoreline was a more manageable 47-43 at half time.
But Adelaide were blown off the court in the second half as Townsville’s stars caught fire.
The match was Adelaide’s first since import Serena Sundell ruptured an ACL in her knee.
AAP
