A LAST second ridiculous long-range bomb from Abbey Ellis grabbed the win for Townsville Fire, sinking Southside Flyers at the State Basketball Centre this evening. In a WNBL classic, the Fire lad for the most part in the match, but were level in the dying moments until Ellis nailed an outstanding jump shot from outside the arc for a 78-75 victory.

In one of the games of the season, Townsville Fire scraped home by the skin of their teeth thanks to the last-second Ellis triple, with overtime looking like a genuine possibility. The Flyers were desperate to protect the paint and Ellis took the inbound throw to Alicia Froling on the three-point line. Ellis then pushed forward potentially looking for the two-point jump shot but used the momentum of her opponent, and the screen set by Froling to receive it back well behind the line.

Despite the distance, she timed the jump shot perfectly with an opponent closing, and Southside Flyers players and fans alike could only watch in disbelief as it went in clean of the side. Ellis promptly celebrated sprinting down the court before being mobbed by her teammates in the wake of an incredible three-point victory.

Earlier in the match, the Fire looked to have everything under control leading by two points at quarter time and nine by the main break. However the Flyers were not going away, and in front of a vocal home crowd, hit back with a 20-15 third term. Incredibly the Fire lead by as much as 10 points with seven minutes to go, but the Flyers kept coming, piling on the next eight points, and then in the last minute, caught the visitors to make it 75-apiece.

At that moment it looked like it would go to overtime, but the incredible last play sealed the win. The three-pointer was Ellis’ fourth of the game from seven attempts, totalling 14 points. Each of the Fire’s starting five contributed double-figure points in an even effort, as Lauren Cox (16 points, nine rebounds) and Froling (17 points, seven rebounds) were the biggest scorers and best off the boards.

Courtney Woods ever the offensive architect had a match-high 10 assists to go with 12 points – though was inaccurate in her shooting, only hitting four of 14 for the game. She did have three rebounds, three steals and two blocks, while Alexandra Fowler had 14 points, five rebounds and four assists.

For the Flyers, Naz Hillmon was the clear standout, draining nine of 14 from the field for a match-high 26 points and 12 rebounds – including seven offensive – becoming unmovable close to the basket and getting second chance opportunities. She teamed up well with Alice Kunek (12 points, 10 rebounds), while Maddison Rocci (12 points, nine assists, five rebounds, three steals and two blocks) was outstanding as well.

Southside Flyers return on Wednesday for a special midweek clash against Geelong United at the State Basketball Centre from 7pm, while Adelaide Lightning takes on UC Capitals in a week’s time back home at AIS Arena.