IN A thrilling contest, Townsville Fire have taken a 1-0 lead in the WNBL semi-final series over the Perth Lynx after defeating them 92-87 on Saturday. 

The Fire shot out to a quick start, taking an 11-point lead after one period of basketball, off the back of a 9-0 run to end the opening term. Nia Coffey led the way for the away side, scoring 13 points to nearly match the Lynx’s score on her own. Of the hosts’ 16 points in the first quarter, 14 came from Laeticia Amihere and Alex Wilson.

The second period remained a tight tussle before Perth posted a 7-0 run towards the end of the quarter to reduce the deficit to five points. Two free throws for Alexandra Fowler would cement the lead at seven points for Townsville heading into the main break.

Wilson converted three consecutive buckets in the span of 20 seconds as she added eight more points to her total and gave the Lynx the momentum before the second half.

The Fire extended the lead back out to as much as 14 points in the third term, before another run by Perth, this time 13-2, would reign it back in and tighten things up with one quarter left to play.

Coffey continued to score the ball at will, with her 14 points for the period the catalyst in Townsville getting out to a double-digit lead.

The Lynx’ comeback was due to some vital three-point hits from Anneli Maley knocking one down during Coffey’s hot streak, Miela Sowah joining in to end the Fire’s big scoring run and Amy Atwell nailing two hits from long range to kick off the comeback run. 

Courtney Woods knocked down a triple to give the Fire a nine-point advantage with seven minutes remaining, before Perth clawed all the way back to get within a single point after a downtown hit from Atwell. The game would stay close, the margin as little as two-point in the final minute, until Lauren Mansfield iced things with four free throws.

Both teams shot the ball well, with Townsville slightly more efficient, and though the Fire won the rebound battle it was mostly even throughout. Bench points were almost identical, and both sides shot a similar number of free throws. The main differences came in the form of points from turnovers, where Perth scored 19 to the visitors’ five, and points in the paint, of which Townsville outscored the Lynx 48-32.

The win gives Townsville a 1-0 series lead heading back to Townsville, with Perth now on the ropes unable to afford a loss.

Coffey’s huge game resulted in 36 points and six three-point hits from seven attempts. Woods had a double-double, dropping 17 points and 10 assists as well as three steals, while Fowler added 14 points and six rebounds. Alicia Froling, Abbey Ellis and Lauren Cox all posted balanced lines, combining for 22 points, 13 assists and 17 rebounds.

Perth was led by Wilson’s offensive outburst as she put up 32 points and nine assists. Amihere contributed 20 points, five rebounds and five blocks, giving her 11 blocks in her last two outings as she continues her defensive masterclass. Maley ripped down 15 rebounds to go with nine points and Atwell poured in 11 points to boost the Lynx as well, but it wasn’t enough to topple Coffey and the Fire. 

Game two of the three-game series takes place on Wednesday evening at the Townsville Entertainment Centre, where Perth will hope to tie things up heading back to Perth, while the Fire have their sights set on a sweep, and eyes on the WNBL Grand Final series.