WNBL: Sydney Uni Flames beat Melbourne Boomers 101-89
A tag-team effort from stalwart Belinda Snell and import Asia Taylor delivered the Sydney Uni Flames a crushing 101-89 defeat of the Boomers in Melbourne on Sunday.
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SHE’S one of the oldest players in the WNBL but it was a tag-team effort from stalwart Belinda Snell and import Asia Taylor which delivered the Sydney Uni Flames a crushing 101-89 defeat of the Boomers in Melbourne on Sunday.
Dropped for the Olympics last year but recalled to the Opals this season, the 36-year-old Flames captain showed she still has plenty to contribute to the game with her stellar performance just a week after a hamstring injury sidelined her against Perth.
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Up against a Boomers side with Liz Cambage back after serving a one-game suspension but ejected after two technical fouls for the second time this season, Snell lead by example with a mighty tally of 28 points, five rebounds and three assists.
Her haul was only bettered by star import Taylor with 29, six rebounds and three assist.
Inspired by her elders, young gun Alex Wilson produced her best game of the season as she chipped in 24 points, three rebounds and six assists.
However Wilson was also sent to the bench after incurring two unsportsmanlike fouls.
“We found some form finally. My girls gelled back together and played great defence,” said coach Cheryl Chambers.
“Snelly and Alex and Asia were all fantastic. I couldn’t ask more of them.”
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The win saw the Flames secure the series against the Boomers after beating them first-up but then losing their last match with the Melbourne side who came into the season as title favourites.
The loss at home was the second of the round for the Boomers who fell to Townsville Fire late last week as Cambage sat out her suspension for unduly rough play..
Against the Flames, Cambage ran into foul trouble but still contributed 22 points in just over 26 minutes of game time.
At the end of the first quarter on Sunday the scores were locked at 27-27 in a preview of how closely fought the rest of the game would be.
Heading into the final quarter there was just a point separating the teams with the score 76-75 in favour of Sydney.
But the Flames came home with composure and strong defence to claim the important win.