Flames burn brightest in thrilling finish
THE Townsville Flames overcame a late fade to beat the Ipswich Force 72- 68 in a thrilling contest at Townsville Basketball Stadium last night.
Rachael McCully and Darcee Garbin played the roles of late- game heroes, with McCullly sinking a pressure pair of free throws and then Garbin sinking another two to seal the win.
Garbin finished with a game- high 23 points and 12 rebounds, while McCully sunk 12 and Lisa Brennan contributed a valuable 10.
The Flames went into the game without star guard Mia Murray, who was ruled out after suffering a muscle strain in her back, and her absence was telling as the Flames lost their way in the final term after holding a 10- point advantage to lead 69- 68 with just 24 seconds remaining.
Garbin was fouled and subsequently sunk her points, and McCully was just as composed to make it certain.
Ipswich were led by their imports Shenita Landy ( 15 points) and Markel Walker ( 14 points, 11 rebounds).
The Flames’ win was a welcome return to form after last weekend’s winless road double in Gladstone and Mackay, and handed the Flames a 3- 3 win- loss record.
“Some breakdowns at some key moments almost cost us, but we got there,” Flames coach Mike St- Maurice said.
“We did some uncharacteristic things at this level, but we managed to get good shots at the end and hit the free throws when it mattered.
“I thought they ( Ipswich) would come in well prepared for us, and they matched up really well against us.
“They made us uncomfortable at times but what we did really well in the middle parts of the game was be disruptive.”
The Force caught Townsville napping in the opening minutes as they surged to a five- point advantage, but the Flames found their rhythm to overhaul the deficit with some good early shooting from Garbin to lead 22- 18 at the first quarter.
Ipswich refused to fold even when the Flames extended their buffer by 11 points, with the visitors providing enough hustle to trail 37- 30 at halftime.
The Force started the second term at a frantic pace and cut the deficit to four points. The Force then made the Flames pay for turnovers to trail the home team 52- 49 going into the final term.
In the men’s game, Townsville beat Ipswich 115- 112 in a seesawing battle.
The Heat were led by Josh Wilcher with 26 points, and Todd Blanchfield and import Justin Baker with 23 each.