A classic 38-point efficiency from Opals legend Lauren Jackson has powered Southside Flyers into the WNBL grand-final sequence following a 93-77 semi-final decider win over native rival Melbourne Boomers.
Melbourne scored the primary 5 factors however Jackson notched 10 factors in every of the primary three quarters and eight within the final, whereas including a game-high 11 rebounds.
The Flyers, who misplaced final season’s grand-final sequence towards Townsville, will now meet Perth in a season-deciding sequence beginning in Melbourne on Sunday.
“There’s still a long way to go yet, we’ve still got to work on stuff and get better because Perth is a great team and they are playing some great basketball right now,” Jackson instructed ESPN.
Jackson will endeavour to win a sixth WNBL title and it will likely be the fourth time within the final 5 seasons Southside have contested the best-of-three grand ultimate sequence.
Together with fellow large Mercedes Russell (17 factors and 9 rebounds), Jackson ruthlessly exploited the Flyers’ top benefit in sport three at Melbourne Sports Centre.
Jackson was unattainable to comprise from brief vary and likewise made three of six lengthy bombs, capturing 15 off 22 from the sphere in just below 33 minutes.
“She was unstoppable, not just scoring but on the offensive boards and she was tenacious,” Flyers coach Cheryl Chambers stated of Jackson.
Southside shot 54 per cent from the sphere and outrebounded the Boomers 37-27.
Melbourne imports Jordin Canada and Nat Hillmon scored 18 and 17 factors respectively, however have been properly contained within the first half.
League MVP Canada made simply certainly one of her first eight pictures from the sphere and Hillmon scored 10 of her factors within the ultimate quarter.
Southside led by simply two and 6 at quarter and half-time respectively, however they swelled their benefit to 16 on the final change and Melbourne could not get the deficit under 9 within the ultimate interval.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
