Graham Croker
Sydney University Flames’ tantalising season continued at the weekend, with an encouraging home win over ninth-placed Adelaide Lightning on Friday night offset by a loss to last-placed AIS in Canberra on Sunday afternoon.
The Flames began the double-header in fine form with a nine-point 83-72 win over Adelaide, highlighted by Katie-Rae Ebzery’s game-high 27 points and solid contributions from Amy Denson (22) and Natalie Stafford (13).
But the wheels fell off in Canberra, where AIS won just their second match of the season – 61-55 – despite Natalie Porter shooting a game-high 21 points and Ebzery backing up with 18.
With three of their final five games at home, the Flames can still make the top five to contest the finals, but they need to start stacking up some wins.
The Flames will host third-placed Logan on Sunday, January 23, seventh-placed Townsville on Friday February 4 and second-placed Canberra on Saturday, February 19, interspersed with away games to eighth-placed Adelaide on Sunday, January 29, and fourth-placed Bendigo on Saturday, February 12.
The Flames trailed the Lightning by one point at quarter time in Friday night, but edged ahead by the main break and led the way in the final two terms.
Bulleen still head the 2009-10 ladder, with Canberra, Logan, Bendigo and Dandenong making up the top five. Sydney University and Townsville can still make the top five, while West Coast, Adelaide and AIS can start planning for 2011-12.
Women’s National Basketball League – Round 13
Sydney University Flames 82 (Katie-Rae Ebzery 27, Amy Denson 22, Natalie Stafford 13) d Adelaide Lightning (Angela Marino 21, Demya Walker 17, Tegan Cunningham 11) at Sydney University Sports and Fitness Centre on Friday night.
Australian Institute of Sport 61 (Rebecca Cole 20, Sara Blicavs 11, Rebecca Allen 10, Kerryn Harrington 9) d Sydney University Flames 55 (Natalie Porter 21, Katie-Rae Ebzery 18, Amy Denson 8) at the AIS Training Hall on Sunday afternoon.
Team P W L %
|
Bulleen |
15 |
13 |
2 |
86.67 |
|
Canberra |
17 |
14 |
3 |
82.35 |
|
Logan |
15 |
9 |
6 |
60.00 |
|
Bendigo |
17 |
10 |
7 |
58.82 |
|
Dandenong |
16 |
9 |
7 |
56.25 |
|
Sydney |
17 |
8 |
9 |
47.06 |
|
Townsville |
16 |
7 |
9 |
43.75 |
|
West Coast |
16 |
6 |
10 |
37.50 |
|
Adelaide |
14 |
2 |
12 |
14.29 |
|
AIS |
17 |
2 |
15 |
11.76 |
