Murray leads the way by top scoring in both Burdekin Blitz victories Ace shooter on Fire
THE Townsville Fire have claimed a 2- 0 series sweep against the Perth Lynx in their pre- season Burdekin Blitz.
Mia Murray top scored in both games, sinking 18 points in Friday night’s thrilling 83- 82 win and then backing it up with a double double of 14 points and seven rebounds in Saturday’s 88- 76 win.
Murray nailed a threepointer on the buzzer to hand Townsville victory in game one, finding room on the edge of the circle with 10 seconds left and making no mistake.
Murray sank 10 of 14 shooting attempts from across the two games and laid the catalyst for an all- round performance featuring stellar support from the likes of Darcee Garbin, Zitina Aokuso, Suzy Batkovic, Laurin Mincy and Micaela Cocks, who all made double figures.
Garbin, who was dominant in the paint all series, made 13 points and seven rebounds in game two and Batkovic sunk 12 after missing game one.
Their efforts helped dent the Lynx, who were led Alice Kunek in both games.
Kunek hit 23 points and seven rebounds in both games, while Toni Farnsworth ( 16 points and eight rebounds) and former Fire player Kayla Standish ( 14 points and five rebounds) pushed Townsville to the brink in the series opener.
Fire coach Claudia Brassard said the pre- season series had served its purpose before the WNBL season opener on October 7 against Melbourne.
“Pre- season is just about finding out where we’re at, getting a gauge on what else we need to work on before the first stage and there were a lot of by positive signs,” she said. “The plan was to see who can give us what, especially the new players, and give the development players a go.
“All the kids did really well and it was pleasing to see Zitina come on and almost get double doubles in both nights. She’s physically dominating.
“( Perth are) a very physical team and they played that up the floor defence and that caused us a lot of headaches.
“They did a great job of forcing us out of a lot of our stuff and force a lot of turnovers, so we have to spend a little bit more time on the floor working on those things.”
Lynx star Sami Whitcomb had a chance to seal a final second victory in game one, launching a shot from beyond the arc, but her shot rimmed out.
Garbin ( 17 points and 10 rebounds) and Aokuso ( 15 points and eight rebounds) were the support acts for Murray and Mikhaela Donnelly finished with 10 points and three rebounds in her first game for the Fire.
Garbin ( 13 points and seven rebounds), Aokuso ( 12 points and six rebounds) and Batkovic ( 12 points and four rebounds) helped lay the allround platform in game two.