LEADING from start to finish, the Perth Lynx defeated the Melbourne Boomers by 17 points at Melbourne Sports Centre in Parkville on Sunday afternoon.

The game was settled early in the first half, with the Perth Lynx setting the tempo. Although Melbourne won the third quarter, 25-14, the Lynx continued to get critical stops in the last quarter to extend the margin to claim a 80-63 win.

The Lynx came out from the tip off, applying the pressure on the Boomers defensively to take tough shots, while offensively finding good looks and draining baskets from anywhere on the perimeter.

Aari McDonald set the tone on both ends of the floor, setting the team up well and getting the ball on the perimeter to those open.

Miela Goodchild and Emily Potter worked well together, with the former setting up the latter well in the post and combining well in the pick and roll.

For the Boomers, whilst it was a tough opening half, Jordin Canada, Naz Hillmon and Sara Blicavs hit some tough transition baskets to try keep their side in the game.

The Boomers were finally able to get defensive stops and run the floor, with the likes of Keely Froling getting herself involved and injecting some energy into the team.

In the last quarter, the Lynx came out of the final change by replicating their form from the first half. Perth controlled the pace of the game, with the Lynx able to find easy points in the paint to claim the victory.

McDonald finished as the top scorer for the Lynx with 21 points, whilst Anneli Maley finished with 17 points, Potter poured in 16 and Goodchild had 15 points of her own.

For the Boomers, Canada finished with 21 points, Blicavs had 12 and Froling with 11 points.