Geelong United scores 32 points in the third term to douse the Sydney Flames

For the second time in three matches, a game-busting quarter from a Geelong United player has blow their opponents off the court in a sensational 20-point win.

Geelong United captain Keely Froling. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images.

Is Geelong United playing its best ball without its injured captain?

We’re obviously being a bit cheeky, but the WNBL’s newest franchise seems to have found its sweet spot at a time when all appeared lost.

United’s inaugural campaign looked to be in free fall with a 20-point loss to Canberra in early January, but then matters took an even grimmer turn when skipper Keely Froling was ruled out of the remainder of the WNBL season with a meniscus injury.

However, with Mon Conti also out of the action but inching closer to a return, United has gone 2-1 since, knocking off a team which has had its measure so far in 2024-25 in the Sydney Flames on Friday night, 90-70.

United also got within three-points of second-placed Perth Lynx and downed the Southside Flyers for the third time this season.

Gemma Potter shot all of her 15 points in a gamebreaking third term. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images.

While it wasn’t quite season on the line on Friday night, a victory would maintain Geelong’s connection to the top quartet.

And it would prove to be Geelong’s sixth win and a victory built on defensive tenacity, with the numbers showing huge discrepancies in points from turnover (27-6) and fast break points (34-7) in favour of the home team.

The bulk of the damage was done in the third term, where for the second time in three games, Gemma Potter went on an absolute heater to split the game open for Geelong in a 32-point demolition.

Injured skipper Keely Froling brought plenty of energy from the sidelines. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images.

It came after her game-shifting, 13-point second term against the Flyers last Wednesday.

Earlier, it was hard work for the home team with air balls, shots hitting the bottom of the backboard and easy lay-ups missed.

Meanwhile, Sydney star Shaneice Swain, who averaged 23 points from her two previous outings against United, once again dined out with 10 points in the opening quarter.

The warning signs were there from the get-go, with Swain opening her team’s account with a threeball in the opening 30 seconds.

Fortunately for the home team, Swain collected three personal fouls less than four minutes into the second term and spent extended periods on the pine.

And with Sydney possessing tall timber in Cayla George and Yemiyah Morris, it was fortunate the latter was benched after collecting three personal fouls midway through the first quarter.

It was an aggressive contest, with the Flames’ Tahlia Tupaea often at the centre of matters.

Potter celebrates the win with Elissa Brett. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images.

She would attempt to rip the ball out captain Jaz Shelley’s clutches, while Potter and Elissa Brett were floored following heavy collisions.

However, it would be Tupaea – 10 points for the quarter – and later points from George which kept the visitors in the game as Geelong showed early signs of sweeping the visitors away.

Haley Jones’ passing was elite at times, setting up points for Potter and Sarah Elsworthy as

Shelley shook off some early offensive rust to finish the half with a team-high 14 points.

Locked at 46 apiece at the break, McKenna Dale would land an early three but it proved to be a false dawn as Geelong unloaded 32 points, its biggest term of the season.

Back-to-back threeballs to Brett got United up and about as the game, which had rarely been split by more than a few buckets, suddenly blew wide open.

Sydney’s Tahlia Tupaea landed 10 points in the second term. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images.

After George landed another triple, Geelong dismantled Sydney through a series of steals with Potter applying the finishing touches with all of her 15 points coming in the quarter.

Sydney brought back Swain and Morris but they couldn’t stop the momentum or score themselves, as the visitors lost all poise — a Shelley three put Geelong 18 points up in a stunning assault.

An airball from Swain, who only added three points after quarter time, on the final buzzer pretty much summed up a dirty night for the visitors.

United now face Bendigo Spirit twice and Townsville in a brutal three-game block, but will face the competition’s best in good nick.

Originally published as Geelong United scores 32 points in the third term to douse the Sydney Flames