Gutsy comeback lifts Flames into prime position

THE Townsville Flames have one hand on the QBL women’s minor premiership after last night’s comefrom- behind 100- 96 win over the Brisbane Capitals at the Murray Basketball Stadium.

The Flames trailed by 12 points in the fourth quarter before launching a brilliant fightback to send the game to overtime, with WNBL stars Miela Goodchild ( 23 points, 10 rebounds), Micaela Cocks ( 21 points, 5 rebounds, 10 assists, 3 steals), and Darcee Garbin ( 21 points, 15 rebounds) leading the way.

Townsville seemed to have the better of the early arm wrestle as they grabbed a 9- 6 lead before the Capitals surged with a 13- 0 scoring run to hit the front.

The Flames just couldn’t get the ball in the basket as they shot at just 22 per cent from the field compared to Brisbane’s 53 per cent as the visitors led 22- 13 at the first break.

Goodchild ran into foul trouble early in the second quarter, which was further frustration for the home side before a 9- 0 run saw them slash the margin to 41- 40 at halftime.

The Flames kept fighting and even drew back level during the third term, but the Capitals held a two- possession buffer for much of the quarter as they went into the final break up 64- 58.

An energetic start to the fourth quarter saw Brisbane’s lead blow out to 74- 62, but Cocks and Goodchild helped spark the comeback as they took the game to overtime at 88- 88.

Both teams launched from long range in a sizzling three- point display to start extra time, but it was the Flames who prevailed as they edged out the Capitals 12- 8 to claim a thrilling victory.

Flames coach Mike St- Maurice said it was a character- building win for his side as they prepare for a final round showdown with third- placed Sunshine Coast Phoenix next weekend.

“We probably haven’t played from behind and come back and won that late in the game,” St- Maurice said.

“It’s a reminder that everyone’s competitive and everyone wants to knock us off so it’s a good time for it to happen.”

Meanwhile, the Townsville Heat beat Brisbane in the later men’s game 89 to 80.