Geelong United win first WNBL road game in 86-88 overtime win against Southside Flyers

Geelong United has broken its road drought in dramatic overtime fashion, as it now looks to win a third game in seven days against a club who crushed them just two weeks ago.

Monique Conti scored the winning bucket for Geelong United. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Geelong United’s Haley Jones says the club will look to “throw the first punch” against Sydney Flames on Saturday, after the club landed the winning blow against Southside Flyer midweek.

A chaotic overtime finish saw Monique Conti land the winning shot for United on Wednesday, in what was the franchise’s maiden road victory and first time recording back-to-back wins.

In just her second game for the club since finishing up AFLW duties with Richmond, Conti connected for two with a pull-up jumper with just seven seconds left in overtime against the Flyers.

Then it was left to the home team, with just two seconds left, to draw up a winning play though it was to no avail as United held on 88-86.

Geelong will look to capitalise on their winning run against the Flames, the club set to go into Saturday’s game with a chip on its shoulder after the Flames handed United a 35-point drubbing two weeks earlier.

“We want to go 3-0 this week... we have Sydney on our list, we didn’t play our best, they played a great game so we’re excited to come out, be at home and throw the first punch on Saturday,” Jones said post-match.

Jones had the chance to seal the game against the Flyers in the final seconds of the fourth, though her bucket didn’t count after the US import released it a second too late to see the contest into overtime.

Geelong United’s Haley Jones shoots under pressure from Tera Reed on Wednesday night. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Daniel Raber came on in the extra five after sitting out the fourth and put up the first points, before Flyers’ star Alice Kunek fouled out in what was arguably a blessing for United.

But United’s poor foul-line shooting, which had plagued them in the fourth quarter, continued, Jones making just one of two attempts though she backed it up by making a tough shot to take her tally to a game-high 27 points.

The Flyers pushed on in front of 1584 fans, Dallas Loughridge, Bec Cole and Maddi Rocci all landing points to tie the game up again before Conti’s final matchwinner.

Conti’s arrival has given licence for Jones to make a greater impact as a scorer, the WNBA talent arguably the star of the night with 27 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.

“I’ve just been trying to find my rhythm, find my flow and get my confidence back and (coach) Chris (Lucas) has been helping me a lot with that and today it was finally all coming to fruition,” Jones said.

The pair were arguably a one-two punch, with Conti also finishing with 19 points and eight rebounds before navigating her four fouls well late in the game.

“I think Mon brings a lot of stuff, defensive tenacity for one and I think she’s a great ball-handler,” Jones said.

“I think with Mon, with Jaz (Shelley), all three of us really share that point guard role - if I get off the rebound, I’m gone, they’re running, vice versa.

“It’s really fun to be able to have that flexibility in every line up.”

Southside Flyers’ Alice Kunek was a thorn in United’s side, with 25 points, as United captain Keely Froling unsuccessfully contests the rebound. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

The win, United’s fourth and first on the road, was made tough early, as the visitors fought to overcome a 13-point first term deficit at the State Basketball Centre.

Cutting the lead back to four by half time, United continued to make inroads in the second half.

Elissa Brett stepped up in a big way, hitting back-to-back threes from the same spot and putting up 11 third quarter points as United got within one before another Brett bucket handed them their first lead of the game early in the fourth.

Lucas’ side would race out to at least a seven-point lead, though their free-throw shooting (56 per cent) was a sore point, with five missed chances late arguably keeping the Flyers in the game and giving them every opportunity to tie the game in the final minutes and force overtime.

Originally published as Geelong United win first WNBL road game in 86-88 overtime win against Southside Flyers