Image: WNBL website
Whilst this is the Flames’ first win away from home this season, the Flames had a number of contributions that got them to the win on Thursday night.
The Adelaide Lightning got off to a fast start and nailed their shots for majority of the first quarter, conversely, the Flames were unable to find the flow on the offensive end and find stops on the defensive end.
Isobel Borlase, Lauren Mansfield and Marena Whittle were instrumental in the offensive for the Lightning, being a threat on the perimeter, whilst Hannah Sjerven was solid for the Flames, helping the Flames stay in the game in the paint, scoring eight points in the first quarter.
The Lightning continued to find the flow offensively, finding those back door cuts and finding ways to get stops defensively, whilst the Flames still struggled to get going from the offensive end and stop the Lightning’s scoring run.
Whilst the Lightning scored the first six points to start the third quarter, the likes of Jocelyn Willoughby and Tiana Mangakahia hit some crucial three-pointers to reduce the margin to 17 points at half-time.
The Lightning were efficient from the field, shooting at 60 per cent from the field compared to the Flames, shooting at 10 from 37 at 27 per cent.
With the Flames found their groove in the later stages of the second quarter, the Flames only turned over the ball four times for the first-half.
The Flames fought back hard in the third quarter, winning the quarter, 30-12. Emma Clark had a huge influence in the third quarter, scoring up to nine points in the third quarter, nailing three triples to help give the Flames a one point lead at three-quarter time.
Willoughby went to work inside the paint, scoring eight quick points in helping reduce the margin further, whilst Kiera Rowe was instrumental driving to the basket and also hitting crucial threes.
More Basketball News
- NBL24 Power Rankings: Round 9
- Vickerman bracing for steely Bullets
- 36ers part way with CJ Bruton
- WNBL 2023/24 Power Rankings: Round 5
- NBL24 Power Rankings: Round 8
In the third quarter, the Flames were able to convert 11 points from turnovers, compared to the Lightning’s three points. The Flames also increased their field goal percentage to 35 per cent and also looked after the ball well, only having five turnovers for the third, compared to the Lightning’s 12 turnovers.
Whilst the Lightning got going in the first half of the last quarter, the Flames fought back hard. Mangakahia and Keely Froling got going in the final five minutes of the last quarter.
Whilst Willoughby was a beast and influential on the boards, a bizarre 30 seconds from both teams saw costly turnovers from both teams, including an out-of-bounds play by the Flames with ten and a half seconds left.
With Keely Frolling hit a crucial floater two pointer, Tiana Mangakahia hit two crucial free throws to seal victory for the Flames, 81-77.
Whilst the Flames shot from the field at 37 per cent, the Flames shared the ball more and were able to gain seven more steals, 8-1 for the whole match.
The Flames were able to punish the Lightning in the points from turnovers, finishing the game, 16-6 and gain three more points in second chance points, 7-4.
The Flames play their second game of the weekend in their double header, facing the Townsville Fire at home on Sunday afternoon at Qudos Bank Arena.
Subscribe to our newsletter!
About Author
