Women’s National Basketball League: Melbourne Boomers suffer upset defeat at the hands of Sydney Uni Flames

For some reason the Melbourne Boomers continue to struggle on their home deck at the State Basketball Centre this WNBL season, the second-placed favourites dropping a third contest at home in a result many have dubbed the upset of the season.

For some reason the Melbourne Boomers continue to struggle on their home deck at the State Basketball Centre this WNBL season, the second-placed favourites dropping a third contest at the Wantirna South complex on Saturday in what many have dubbed the upset of the season.

Taking on the last-placed Sydney Flames, who came to town with just one win from 12 games, the Boomers never got going and at times looked out of synch offensively, especially in the opening half when they could manage jut 27 points.

WNBL: SUPPORT THE BOOMERS ON VOLUNTEERS DAY

NBL: BULLETS UPSET MELBOURNE UNITED

PREMIER CRICKET: 18 WICKETS FALL IN A DAY

Melbourne Boomers coach Guy Molloy was a picture of disappointment this week. Picture: Michelle Couling Photography

Such were the offensive struggles, coach Guy Molloy raised his eyebrows post-game and said he was accustomed to his team “scoring 27 points in a quarter, not in a half.”

Both Molloy and captain Jenna O’Hea kept their comments to a bare minimum after the game, both clearly preferring to leave the talking for training during the week when, no doubt, both will ask questions.

Played in front of just under 1900 spectators, the devastating 62-65 loss leaves the Boomers with a 9-5 record, which is still good enough for second place on the ladder, though very few of those fans would have seen this result coming.

Missed opportunities became a theme for the Boomers as they struggled to shoot accurately, a plight that has crept into their game in recent weeks and will, no doubt, be a focus at training this week ahead of a crucial round 10 game against Adelaide on Sunday.

Lyndsay Allen on defence against Sydney this week. Picture: Rob Leeson.

Sydney’s victory was even sweeter considering it went into the game missing two regular starters — Alex Bunton and Alex Wilson — while the star-studded Boomers were at full strength.

Leading for the most part, the visitors had to dig deep late when the Boomers pushed to a four-point lead with less than two minutes to play.

However a back-court violation by the Boomers and two pressure baskets by Sydney’s Talia Tupaea (21 points) delivered the stunning result.

Game highs for Melbourne included Maddie Garrick’s 14 points, Cayla George’s 13 rebounds and two steals, Jenna O’Hea’s six assists and Steph Talbot’s two blocks.

The Boomers are back in action at the State Basketball Centre this Sunday for the annual Volunteers Day game.