Woods on fire as Townsville overcome resurgent Flyers
Sebastian Tan |
Courtney Woods has produced a trademark performance to power the Townsville Fire to a gripping 90-84 victory over the Southside Melbourne Flyers.
Having recorded 11 points in her first two matches after returning from a hamstring injury, the Opals star was back to her best at the State Sport Centres on Sunday, grabbing a season-high 27 points and four assists.
Victory wasn’t enough for Townsville to leapfrog top side Bendigo Spirit (13-3) on the WNBL ladder, with the Spirit boasting a better win-loss record.
But it does keep them one victory ahead of third-placed Perth Lynx (13-4) in the race for a top-two spot.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing for the Fire, who led by 18 points in the third quarter before the Flyers surged to within one point midway through the final quarter.
But Townsville held strong as Woods and Abbey Ellis scored a flurry of settling points to secure the win.
Ellis (15 points, five rebounds) and Miela Sowah (17 points) were busy as the side snapped Southside Melbourne’s three-game unbeaten streak.
“Seven turnovers is elite … I’d say that was the difference in the game,” Fire coach Shannon Seebohm said.
“We obviously extended that (lead) out to 18. It wasn’t ideal that we let it disappear, but I’m really proud of the team for grinding that out.
“The longer the season goes on, there’s going to be more games where we’ve got to be able to execute down the stretch.”
The loss piles fresh pressure on Southside Melbourne (7-9) as the race for the top four heats up.
The UC Capitals share a 7-9 record with the fourth-placed Flyers, while the resurgent Sydney Flames (6-12) sit one win behind the pair with four rounds to play.
Opals trio Isabelle Bourne (10 rebounds), Maddy Rocci (eight assists) and Cayla George (seven rebounds, five assists) were dynamic, scoring 23, 22 and 18 points respectively.
But the Flyers also coughed up a crucial 23 personal fouls.
“It’s pretty tough when calls don’t go your way. Those moments kill you because you’re trying to make a run, trying to get back into the game, trying to get momentum, and you can’t get calls to go your way,” coach Kristi Harrower said.
“Then they shoot 21 from 25 on the foul line.
“We’ve got to look at ourselves and realise we didn’t put 40 minutes together.”
In a see-sawing first half, the Fire looked to break the game open when they went on a 13-2 run, but Southside Melbourne surged.
Woods, however, stepped up to balloon Townsville’s advantage to 50-38 at the main break.
Rocci and George rallied to cut the deficit, but the Fire did just enough to complete the win.
AAP
