IT WAS a wild weekend in Perth that saw four wins in four games for the Western Australian sides. Things kicked off on Wednesday with the Perth Lynx hosting the Townsville Fire and it was all Lynx in this one as the home team led from start to finish. Though Alicia Froling proved tough to contain for the Fire, dropping 22 points in a balanced statline, Perth caught fire and were knocking down shots from everywhere. 

The Lynx shot an absurd 70 per cent from three-point range and finally broke out of their free throw shooting slump to nail 86 per cent of their attempts from the line. In a dominant display, Perth scored more fast-break points, more points in the paint, more bench points and more points off of turnovers (in spite of committing more turnovers than their opponents). 

Outside of Froling, and although they shot the ball well, Townsville were unable to get much production from anyone as only Zia Cooke managed to meet Froling in double-digits. Her and Nya Lok were the only Fire players able to knock down multiple threes as the visiting side was beaten in nearly every facet of the game.

For Perth, Miela Sowah led the way, but not with her usual flurry of hits from long range. Rather in this one Sowah nailed eight of eight free throws on her way to 20 points to lead the Lynx. Teige Morrell and Anneli Maley, who also brought down nine rebounds, both chipped in 14 points, while Alex Wilson, Mackenzie Clinch Hoycard and Laeticia Amihere all scored in double figurers as well. Alexandra Ciabattoni, Steph Gorman and Kiara Waite all added nine points in a remarkable team effort. 

One of the main questions coming into this game was how the Lynx would handle Townsville’s size and prevent being outrebounded. They clearly managed to accomplish that by restricting Fire players to no more than six rebounds and leading the visitors 31-25 overall. Perth’s 106-point night was the highest scoring game of the season and just the second triple-figure scoring outburst of the season. 

The Lynx then travelled to Victoria to take on the Southside Flyers in a Sunday morning showdown. This game was far closer than the Round 5 opener and the Lynx were tested by the sixth placed side.

After a back-and-forth opening term, the Lynx opened up an 11-point advantage after an impressive second quarter, but the Flyers stormed back in the third to bring the lead back to just four points heading into the final frame.

The Lynx were able to remain in front for most of the quarter before a Jaya Scafidi layup brought the home side back within three. Despite the late scare, Amihere scored with 47 seconds remaining to extend the margin back out to five, and then Sowah was sent to the free throw line where she calmly knocked down both foul shots. The Lynx came out seven-point victors and moved to 5-1 for the season as they continue to look like one of the sides to beat in this year’s competition.

The Lynx hot shooting from Wednesday night cooled off slightly, but they still managed to connect on 41 per cent of their attempts from downtown. Three Lynx players hit multiple shots from distance as the visitors went 11-27 from beyond the arc.

Perth capitalised on some poor ball security from Southside, and for the second consecutive game scored more points off turnovers than their opponents despite committing more turnovers. 

Rebecca Cole, Naz Hillmon and Maddison Rocci combined for 61 of the Flyers’ 89 points, but struggled for contributions outside of those three. The home team shot a scorching 50 per cent from three, but fouled Perth 25 times leading to a barrage of scoring at the charity stripe for the Lynx. Hillmon added 13 rebounds, five steals and five assists to go with her 20 points in a terrific outing.

Sowah again led the charge for Perth dropping 23 points and five rebounds. Wilson exploded for 19 points after knocking down three of six attempts from deep and had six steals. Amiehere set the tone early with four first-half blocks and finished the game with five to pair with 14 points and four rebounds, while captain Maley provided a double-double with 11 points and 15 rebounds. Ciabattoni contributed a balanced performance, with eight points, five assists, five rebounds, three steals and two blocks.

Southside continue to struggle and now own a 2-4 record to begin the season, with games against the UC Capitals and the Adelaide Lightning to come on Wednesday and Friday.

Perth remains in second place on the WNBL ladder with a home top of the table clash upcoming against the undefeated Bendigo Spirit on Thursday, and will then travel to Sydney to take on the Flames in their second game of round six on Saturday afternoon.