Graham Croker
Sydney University Flames’ Big Rig opening to the 2010-11 Women’s National Basketball League season hit a roadblock against their old nemesis, Canberra Capitals, on Friday night.
Having accounted for Townsville Fire 75-69 in the season opener in Townsville, and Logan Thunder 76-72 in Brisbane on their return journey south the previous weekend, the Flames were on the road again on Friday for the tilt with Canberra at AIS Stadium.
But the travelling schedule finally caught up with them and they succumbed 73-60 to the 2009-10 titleholders.
And just to stretch the road trip theme, the Flames will meet West Coast in Alice Springs this Saturday night, before playing their first home game on October 30, when the can introduce their new major sponsor, Southern Design to fans at Sydney University Sports and Fitness Centre.
Although the Flames dominated the first two terms at AIS Stadium, to lead 17-9 at the first break and 31-24 at half-time, the Capitals fought their way back to remain unbeaten with a 13-point win thanks to Nicole Hunt and Carly Wilson who racked up 25 points between them in the third term.
When the final whistle sounded, Wilson was the game-high scorer with 25 points, while Amy Denson top-scored for the Flames with 22.
Denson also top-scored in the opening match against Townsville with 28 points, while a new member of the Flames line-up, Katie-Rae Ebzery posted 19.
Scoreboard:
Round 1: Game 1: Sydney University Flames 75 (Amy Denson 28, Katie-Rae Ebzery 19, Eva Afeaki 10) d Townsville Fire 69 (Amy Lewis 29, Jo Hill 15, Rachael Allison 10) at New Projects Australia Stadium, Townsville on Friday, October 8.
Game 2: Sydney University Flames 76 (Natalie Stafford 18, Natalie Porter 15, Katie-Rae Ebzery 11, Amy Denson 11) d Logan Thunder 72 (Sarah Graham 23, Emma Randall 11, Cayla Francis 10, Kristen Veal 10) at Logan Metro, Brisbane, on Sunday, October 10.
Round 2: Game 3: Canberra Capitals 73 (Carly Wilson 25, Nicole Hunt 18, Marianna Tolo 12) d Sydney University Flames 60 (Amy Denson 22, Sally Potocki 11, Natalie Stafford 8, Katie-Rae Ebzery 8) at AIS Arena, Canberra, on Friday, October 15.
