SPOON TOWNSVILLE HANDED WOODEN Fire goes out after season from hell

THE Townsville Fire have been doused in their last game of the year, going down to the Bendigo Spirit and finishing with the WNBL wooden spoon.

The 89-69 loss on Saturday night concluded what has been a disappointing year for the Fire, who have been out of playoff contention for some time.

Despite having a better for and against differential than Bendigo, the Fire claimed the wooden spoon after losing their three-game series to the Spirit 2-1.

Coach Shannon Seebohm said the loss wasn’t the way the side wanted to conclude 2019/20.

“Credit to them, they outplayed us from the get-go tonight,” Seebohm said after the match. “They were a lot better prepared, they had a lot more intent and certainly a lot more aggressive on the offensive end.”

The Spirit were inspired by 254-game veteran Gabe Richards, who made her final appearance in the WNBL.

Fellow big Carley Ernst was the focal point for Bendigo all night, finishing with 26 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists.

“As the game went she (Carley) stepped up and made some really big shots for them,” Seebohm said.

“I thought their guards as well did a really good job of putting us under pressure every single time.”

Townsville came out with ferocious offence in the first quarter, grabbing defensive rebounds and transitioning into attack at breakneck speed.

Unfortunately their counterattacking flair and slick ball movement failed to convert to points, only shooting five from 18 field goal attempts in the opening 10 minutes.

“I think we shot something like 25 per cent from three until halftime,” Seebohm said of his side’s shooting.

“When you give teams confidence like that (giving up easy lay-ups in transition), they’re able to build a six, eight, 10-point lead as the first half goes. It’s obviously not going to continue to work because they feel good about themselves.

“When you’re not making shots and constantly chasing your tails on the defensive transition … it’s going to be tough to beat anybody.”

Bendigo held a 39-27 lead at halftime before running away with the contest in the final two quarters.

In a bright spot for the Fire, Christina Boag recorded her first double-double for the club with 22 points and 15 rebounds in a gritty performance.