Indestructible Townsville Fire are one win away from their fourth WNBL championship after demolishing the Southside Flyers 94-63 in Game One of the best-of-three grand last collection.
The 31-point profitable margin on the Townsville Entertainment Centre on Saturday evening was the most important in WNBL grand last historical past.
The Fire arrange their fifteenth consecutive victory with a commanding 28-14 first quarter and by no means relented thereafter.
Explosive back-up guard Shyla Heal had 23 factors at 90 per cent in 20 minutes, whereas gun import Tianna Hawkins posted 20 earlier than sitting out your complete fourth interval.
Acting captain Bec Cole (20 factors) performed a digital lone hand for the sluggish Flyers, whose gruelling, bodily three-game semi-final collection towards Melbourne appeared to take its toll.
Cole and Sara Blicavs had been the one two Southside gamers to attain within the opening time period which was dominated by the Fire, thanks mainly to a lopsided 10-4 rebound rely.
Premier Flyers import Kayla Thornton did not hit the scoreboard till contained in the final two minutes of the primary half, on the finish of which Townsville held sway 57-38.
Heal busted Southside’s zone defence with 13 second-quarter factors whereas Townsville continued to prosper getting downhill on the Flyers poor ball use, outscoring the guests 15-4 off turnovers.
Fire captain Lauren Nicholson paced an 11-2 begin to the third stanza to push the hosts forward 68-40.
Cole spearheaded an 8-0 mini-revival earlier than Courtney Woods’ punch off the bench gave the momentum again to Townsville, who led 78-52 at three-quarter-time.
The Fire’s bench belted Southside’s 46-14 with Heal dominant and Woods persevering with to empty buckets because the margin swelled uncontrolled.
The Flyers might want to enhance immeasurably when the collection strikes to Melbourne’s State Basketball Centre for Game 2 on Wednesday.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
