Red-hot Townsville Fire have superior to the WNBL grand last on a 14-game profitable streak after finishing a 2-0 semi-final sequence sweep of Perth Lynx with a 91-84 win on the Bendat Basketball Centre.
The Fire appeared in complete management after they led by 16 factors simply after halftime on Sunday earlier than staving off a spirited Lynx fightback.
Star import Tianna Hawkins (23 factors) was all class, captain Lauren Nicholson (15) laid the early basis and late-season recruit Shyla Heal (15) dominated the fourth quarter.
Perth skipper Sami Whitcomb (26 factors) valiantly threw all the things at Townsville, as did teammates Chloe Bibby (18), Lauren Scherf (13) and Robbi Ryan (13).
On the comeback path from a foot damage, Nicholson caught fireplace with 13 first-quarter factors, together with three triples from her first three photographs, to place Townsville in entrance 27-22 on the first break.
It was then Hawkins’ flip to take over, the American ahead pouring in 12 second-quarter factors to increase Fire’s cushion to 53-43 at halftime.
The Lynx’s first-half defence was underwhelming, whereas additionally they conceded too many turnovers and offensive boards.
Game One matchwinner Steph Reid began the third time period with back-to-back three-pointers to increase Townsville’s result in 59-43 earlier than Perth normal a stinging rearguard.
Behind Bibby’s perimeter taking pictures, Whitcomb’s playmaking and Ryan’s inspirational defence, the house aspect went on a 13-0 tear amid an 18-2 total run to slice the hole to at least one level.
Ryan’s trey early within the fourth then gave the Lynx the lead, earlier than Heal responded spectacularly.
The gifted reserve level guard, enticed from the Sydney Flames simply in time to be eligible for Townsville’s finals marketing campaign, acquired proper underneath Perth’s guard, scoring 12 of her 15 factors after three-quarter-time to seal the Fire’s second grand last berth in three seasons.
The best-of-three sequence will begin on Saturday on the Townsville Entertainment Centre, with the Fire to face the winner of Wednesday’s semi-final decider between Southside and Melbourne.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
