Canberra Capitals beat Sydney Uni Flames 89-80

THE Sydney Uni Flames remain winless at home after red-hot Opal Marianna Tolo orchestrated the Canberra Capitals’ second victory of the WNBL in 48 hours on Sunday.

Belinda Snell in action for the Sydney Uni Flames against the Canberra Capitals.

THE Sydney Uni Flames remain winless at home after red-hot Opal Marianna Tolo orchestrated the Canberra Capitals’ second victory of the WNBL in 48 hours with a spectacular haul of 38 in their match-up on Sunday.

Not even exceptional three-point shooting from the Flames’ Leilani Mitchell and Alex Wilson could thwart the Tolo-driven Capitals who came from behind in the first half to take the match 89-80.

Rather than fade out with fatigue after their Friday night win over Adelaide, the Capitals took control of the game in the second half to leave the Flames heading into a two-game third round still searching for their first points of the season.

Tolo’s match-winning performance, which included 12 rebounds, came on the back of her 17 points and 16 rebounds in Canberra’s win over Adelaide on Friday.

“It was disappointing for us,’’ said Flames coach Cheryl Chambers. “We are a new team but our defence really let us down.

Belinda Snell in action for the Sydney Uni Flames against the Canberra Capitals.

“I’m not happy. We didn’t win the boards or the effort category and with this group that shouldn’t happen.”

Best for the Flames was Rio Olympic point guard Leilani MItchell who exploded in the first half with four from five long-bombs, four rebounds and six assists and ended the game with 20 points.

The Flames, who lost a thriller by three against Perth In round one, hit the floor with purpose with three successive long bombs from court marshall Mitchell helping set up their 23-17 quarter-time lead.

While the Fames defensive unit did a good job of nullifying Tolo in the first period, the towering Opal came into her own in the second to end the half as the games top scorer with 16 points.

Despite opening out to a nine point lead in the second, the Flames only took a 44-42 into the second half which the Capitals demolished to open up their own quick seven point lead (48-55).

From here it was all downhill for the Flames who only hit the lead once more before copping the nine point loss.

Despite the slow start to the season the Flames are being touted as major contenders for the WNBL crown this year after wholesale change in the offseason.

However, just minimal time together and a string of pre-season injuries, coupled with the shock loss of defensive gun Hayley Moffatt for the entire season after a game one injury, has been a major blow to the quest.

The Flames now head to Bendigo searching for success on Friday before returning to Sydney to take on Townsville on Saturday.

The match at Brydens Arena on Sunday marked the 100th WNBL game for Kate Gaze who is back with the Capitals after a long absence which included her playing in two championship winning teams with Townsville Fire.