Flames go down to Rollers in a thriller

TOWNSVILLE Flames coach Luke Brennan has taken the blame for the team’s heartbreaking 77-76 overtime QBL semi-final loss to the Gold Coast Rollers on Saturday night.

The Flames trailed by eight points early in the fourth quarter at Townsville Basketball Stadium before making a comeback as Rachael Mccully (15 points) hit a late shot to lock things up at 70-70 in regulation time.

The home side jumped out to a four-point lead in overtime, but the Rollers finished stronger as Ariana Moorer (21 points) made a basket with just two seconds left to clinch the win.

Flames superstar Abby Bishop (11 rebounds, 6 assists) was kept to 0-8 shooting despite averaging 23 points per game and Brennan admitted he’d struggled to adjust his plans for a determined Gold Coast side.

“I had a bit of a shocker to be honest,” the first-year coach said. “They completely outplayed us but I just think on paper we’ve got the players.

“I didn’t do a good job with Abby Bishop … Gold Coast did a great job at doubling her and took her out of all her comfortable looks, but I should’ve run something better to get her going at some point.

“I’ve just got to stop and try and make quicker decisions, especially when your star’s being taken out of the game like that.”

Teenage star Alex Fowler (16 points, 9 rebounds) was a bright spot for the Flames.

imports at all, while they had two,” Anderson said.

“To have all these local guys, 14 (players) of our squad of 17 have played junior basketball for Townsville, so that’s what it’s all about.”

Anderson said history suggested the odds were against the Heat. “Winning (two consecutive titles) puts a target on your back.”