Sydney Uni Flames ready to ignite against Perth in WNBL after close call with Fire
IT ended as a three-point loss but it is the game that has show the Sydney Uni Flames are ready for lift-off from the bottom of the ladder to be a force in the WNBL.
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IT ended as a three-point loss but it is the game that has show the Sydney Uni Flames are ready for lift-off from the bottom of the ladder to be a force in the WNBL.
It was a result coach Cheryl Chambers believes could be the turning point of the Flames’ season and a fighting performance she says has made her proud of her young charges.
Sensational performances from Britt Smart and Alex Wilson in the absence of three Flames starters saw the Sydney side come within a whisker of upsetting defending WNBL champions Townsville Fire at home in round three of the competition.
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The most injury ravaged team in the competition actually lead for the majority of the match before the experience of Fire and a number of controversial decisions delivered the hosts a 79-76 victory.
Smart was outstanding with 21 points in the first half with Wilson equally impressive with 21 points and eight assists for the match.
“I am very proud of them,’’ said coach Cheryl Chambers of the Flames who lead by eight in the second period despite Belinda Snell, Tahlia Tupaea and Alex Bunton all out injured.
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“They stuck to the plan. A lot of teams with three starters out would have crumbled. But they didn’t.
“There is a real belief and desire in the girls now.’’
With four straight losses the Flames need to pick up wins immediately with Perth their immediate target at home on Thursday night.
Perth scored the first win of the season over Bendigo Spirit in round three (77-72) but after a 61 point first half were hardly convincing in the second with just 16 points put on the board.