The Sydney Flames suffered their first loss at Quaycentre for WNBL25 on Sunday, losing 86-73 to the Adelaide Lightning.
The round eight fixture was played in front of 1,479 fans, marking this season's biggest crowd at Quaycentre.
Match summary
In her first game back in Flames colours, Talhia Tupaea opened the host's scoring with a triple before Yemiyah Morris converted a two-pointer. A floater by Shaneice Swain and a lay-in by Bonnie Deas ensued but the Hoops Capital side still trailed midway by one point. Free-throws by Swain and Celeste Taylor, following by a fast-break bucket by Carla Pitman, put the Flames back in front 17-16. That was extended to four after Swain nailed a triple from the and Taylor found Cayla George on the pick and roll. At the end of one, the harbour city side led 25-18 after Taylor hit a corner three as time expired.
Like she never left 🔥
Keep watching our Quaycentre clash with Adelaide live on 9Go!#BringTheHeat pic.twitter.com/qWK6uC7Ueg
- Sydney Flames (@TheSydneyFlames) December 22, 2024
A bucket on the second period's opening possession by George extended the lead to nine. Taylor continued her strong game with another score before the returning Emma Clarke landed a shot from downtown - pushing the lead out to 10. Clarke was making an impact at both end of the court, as did Ohio State alum Taylor, whose five straight points extended Sydney's lead to 13. At the main break, the hosts led by 12 (43-31).
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The Flames' lead was quickly evaporated in the third, as multiple and-ones sparked Adelaide's 10-0 to begin the period. A triple by Deas ended the drought for Guy Molloy's side before the young gun converted a tough and-one, following a give-and-go with George. The latter hit a three of her own soon after but Sydney struggled to slow Adelaide's scoring - as it was 52-48. Hometown hero Tupaea's tough step-back three extended the lead to seven. A late driving basket and free-throws by Tupaea gave Sydney a 10-point lead heading into the final quarter.
Staying gritty to keep our lead, as we head into the fourth 🫡
Keep watching our Quaycentre clash with Adelaide live on 9Go! #BringTheHeat pic.twitter.com/jLVHhGm6DE
- Sydney Flames (@TheSydneyFlames) December 22, 2024
Haylee Andrews' triple closed the margin to seven early in the fourth, which started an 8-0 run for Adelaide - ended by Tupaea's off-balance lay-up. Clarke and Taylor then chipped in to keep the Flames' noses in front before Brooke Basham's three levelled the scored at 69-all. When Brianna Turner put in an alley-oop pass from Talbot, the visitors led by two with 3.40 to play. Another Isobel Borlase and-one extended that to five. But the Flames didn't go away with free-throws by Tupaea making it one-point game. Clutch scored by Turner and Talbot made it a two-possession game with 1.29 left. A Basham triple iced the game for Adelaide, who ran out winners by
Where the match was decided
The Lightning's triumph was set up by statistical wins in field goal percentage (50-35), rebounds (53-31), points in the paint (52-22) and fastbreak points (19-4).
Key moment
A 34-11 final quarter sealed Adelaide's fourth win in five matches.
Player of the game
In her first game back as a Flame, Tupaea tallied 18 points, two rebounds, two assists and one steal.
The others to score in double figures were Taylor (15) and Clarke (10).
What's next
The Flames, who are now 4-6, now have a small Christmas break before playing in the second Hoops Capital double-header of the season on Monday, December 30.
Guy Molloy's side will take on Southside from 4.45pm at Qudos Bank Arena, before the Kings take on Adelaide from 7.15pm.
Tickets to the hoops extravaganza are still available here.
