Flames win ninth straight game to make finals bid
The Sydney Flames have done everything possible to keep their playoff hopes alive, including winning their
ninth straight game against the second-placed Bulleen Boomers at the Sydney University Sports and Aquatic
Centre tonight.
Despite their phenomenal end of season run, the sixth-placed Flames must wait until tomorrow to find out if
their 77-57 win over Bulleen will get them to the playoffs, as their fate depends on the results of the other
matches.
In the first term, the Boomers were able to find holes in the Sydney defense to set up Sharin Milner (12
points) with a number of fast-paced runs to the basket.
With a high field-goal percentage, the Boomers appeared on target to record their 14th win of the season
leading 24-18 into the first break.
From the second quarter on, the Flames stepped up their defence to take hold of the game and deny the
Boomers a win in the final WNBL game of the season.
The Sydney side pressured Bulleen's offensive pattern forcing the visitors to shoot low-percentage shots
from outside the perimeter.
|
WNBL - Round 18 |
| SYDNEY UNI FLAMES |
77 |
| Belinda Snell | 21 |
| Trisha Fallon | 20 |
| Natalie Porter | 11 |
|
| BULLEEN BOOMERS |
57 |
| Larissa Cavanagh | 17 |
| Sharin Milner | 12 |
| Desiree Glaubitz | 8 |
|
|
@ Sydney Uni Sports & Aquatic Centre |
The home side's Belinda Snell (21 points), Trish Fallon (20 points) and Natalie Porter (11 points)
dominated the defensive boards and netted important shots at their own end.
Porter was a standout in the final quarter netting three triples to extend the Flames final lead to 20
points and giving her side a better chance of a playoffs berth.
Flames coach Karen Dalton praised her side's efforts saying, “We’ve done what we set out to do by winning
nine in a row and the most pleasing part is the way that we’ve done it.”
Instead of waiting to find out if they will make the finals, the Flames will take on the Sydney Swifts
netball team in the Battle of the Codes tomorrow night at the Sydney SuperDome.
Karen Dalton says her team are excited about playing in the first ever half-netball, half-basketball game.
“The girls were all really keen to get out there and have fun against the netballers.”
• Have a view on this story? Send us your feedback!
| 
